Aquaculture research specialist Onda has expanded its disease challenge platform with two new models targeting Tenacibaculum dicentrarchi and Tenacibaculum finnmarkense – bacterial strains causing serious losses in salmon farming hubs across Chile, Norway, Canada and Northern Europe.
The move builds on Onda’s launch of the world’s first reliable Tenacibaculum maritimum challenge model in 2024. With all three strains now covered, the company says it can provide seafood producers and suppliers with practical, science-based tools to test health products and management strategies under conditions that mirror real-world production challenges.
“These new models light the path forward, turning complexity into clarity in the fight against tenacibaculosis, and mapping the battlefield so our clients can get ahead,” said Dr Fabio Zanuzzo, Director of Aquatic Animal Health at Onda.
Tenacibaculum infections are among the costliest bacterial issues in aquaculture, particularly in salmon. Outbreaks cause severe lesions, fish losses and significant welfare concerns, with the global sector losing tens of millions of dollars annually. The ability to replicate the disease in controlled studies is expected to accelerate the development of effective vaccines, treatments, and feed-based solutions – cutting both time to market and risk for seafood businesses.
“By equipping our clients with robust research platforms, we help them bring effective solutions to market faster, supporting healthier fish, stronger businesses, and a more sustainable food supply,” Onda CEO Myrna Gillis said.
For seafood producers under pressure to boost resilience and reduce losses, Onda’s expanded models represent a new opportunity to safeguard stock, reduce treatment costs, and maintain supply. The company says the platform will support not only salmon, but a wider range of species impacted by Tenacibaculum, reinforcing its role as a partner for seafood businesses worldwide.
Headquartered in Prince Edward Island, Canada, Onda operates the world’s largest aquatic containment facility for aquaculture research and holds multiple international certifications.
