Improvement of methods for IPN virus screening and control of broodfish
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Objectives
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The principal objective of the current project is to develop new, and improve the established laboratory methods for detection
of IPN virus in samples from Atlantic salmon broodfish.
The achievement of this goal is a pre-requisite for implementation of new practices to effectively control vertical transmission
of IPNV in Norwegian aquaculture, and for the reliable certification of IPNV-free salmonid eggs and sperm in both national
and international trade.
The project is structured into 4 work packages, each representing a sub-goal of the project as a whole:
WP1: Aims to develop and document methods for testing prior to spawning (including non-lethal sampling methods)
WP2: Aims to quantify the sensitivity of various methods relative to sample tissue, and to establish the assay limits assuring
good test reproducibility
WP3: Aims to develop testing methods allowing the simultaneous identification of IPNV strains carrying markers of virulence
or persistence.
WP4: Aims to investigate the method-specific options for tissue conservation and storage, and to optimise the logistics of
testing and operational control measures
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External collaboration
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Centre for Veterinary Contract Research and Commercial Services (VESO), Norwegian School of Veterinary Science (NVH) and National
Veterinary Institute (VI)
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High and low virulent strains of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV) - distribution and relative importance in farmed
Atlantic salmon (
Salmo salar L.)
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Objectives
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Principal objective
The principal objective of this project is to study the clinical importance of high and low virulent IPNV strains, including
mixtures of these, in farmed Atlantic salmon.
Sub goals
- Establish and validate methods for differential detection of high and low virulent IPNV strains, based on Real-Time PCR and
single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis.
- Test newly established protocols on tissue samples from salmon experimentally infected with different IPNV strains and mixtures
of these.
- Characterize the virulence motifs of IPNV strains isolated from Atlantic salmon broodfish using the newly established Real-Time
PCR assays.
- Establish and validate a method for sensitive detection of IPNV in water. This method will be used to identify important means
of horizontal transmission of IPNV in the fresh water phase.
- Examine the relative importance of high and low virulent IPNV strains in farmed Atlantic salmon during the fresh water phase
of the production, by performing a study involving high-risk and low risk sites.
- Use generated knowledge to establish a few "IPN-free" fresh water production sites, and evaluate the cost/benefit effects
of doing so.
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External collaboration
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Patogen Analyse AS, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science (NVH), Marine Harvest Norway AS, University College in Ålesund
(HiAL), Flatanger Settefisk AS, Sisomar AS.
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Linking swimming performance to cardiac/circulatory function and morphology in Atlantic salmon as a parameter for genetic
selection for more robust fish (Acronym: "Robust salmon").
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Objectives
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Investigate if swimming performance can be linked to the function and morphology of the heart- and circulatory system, thus
being an indicator for selection for a more robust salmon.
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External collaboration
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Norwegian Institute for Water Research |
Pancreas disease: Genetic components and correlations – a field study
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Objectives
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Investigate genetic components for resistance to pancreas disease (PD), and if there is genetic correlations with resistance
to other diseases.
- Transfer of 20.000 1+ finclipped smolt to a PD-exposed sea site belonging to Marine Harvest in Hordaland.
- Tissue sampling from dead fish throughout the sea phase rearing period with the intention of using it for parentage assignment.
- After parentage assignment – estimating genetic (co-)variance components.
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External collaboration
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Marine Harvest Norway AS |
Fish Health Economics
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Objectives
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Main objective:
Establish Fish Health Economics as a special field with recognized principles and methods based in the fields of fish health
and economics.
Sub goals:
- Develop models for converting health related biological losses to monetary values.
- Perform a study of costs from diseases based on pancreas disease (PD) as a model disease.
- Disseminate the work in internal and external organizations in order to establish the acceptance of the model.
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External collaboration
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Norwegian School of Veterinary Science (NVH), University of Life Sciences (UMB), University of Stavanger (UIS), Marine Harvest
Norway AS
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Future vaccination technology of smolts – a preliminary study
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Objectives
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The aim of preliminary study is to create a decision-making platform for whether and how a main project shall be designed
to develop and construct a more automated and well-functioning process than is available today.
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External collaboration
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SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture, Marine Harvest Norway, Lerøy Midnor AS, Maskon AS
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