Pancreas Disease (PD) costs the Norwegian fish farming industry more than one billion NOK a year (approximately US$113m).
Nofima holds several R&D licences in collocation with commercial fish farmers along the Norwegian coast, whereof two are co-located with Blom Fiskeoppdrett at one site outside of Bergen.
In June 2015, a simultaneous infection of both PD and Skeletal Muscle Inflammation (HSMB) were detected at the site.
“Outbreaks of PD and HSMB have a tendency to occur during the spring and autumn,” said researcher Jens-Erik Dessen.
He added: “Therefore, diets with a relatively high protein/lipid ratio may be used not only during and after an outbreak, but also before, this might exert a beneficial effect in terms of maintaining growth and minimizing the mortality.”
Mr Dessen and Kjell-Arne Rørvik found that the salmon that had been fed lean, protein-rich test feed had a mortality rate of 4%. But Salmon fed normal control feed with a higher fat content had a mortality rate of 9%.
The statistical analysis also confirmed that there was lower mortality in large fish, and in fish that were less stressed during handling.
Further research is said to be taking place to discover the specific mechanisms contributing to the positive effects on fish survival.
Nofima holds with three R&D licences with Norwegian farming companies in the south, middle and north of Norway which are a valuable tool in order to help carry out research.
