Monitoring programme for lumpfish and ballan wrasse

PHARMAQ Analytiq is now offering an analytical package based on our current knowledge of disease agents linked to lumpfish and ballan wrasse.

This monitoring programme includes analyses for the detection of Pasteurella sp., Aeromonas salmonicidae sp., Tenacibaculum sp., various Vibrio species, Paramoeba sp. (AGD), Nucleospora cyclopteri and Ichtyobodo sp. (costia). PHARMAQ Analytiq tailors its systems to individual facilities on the basis of experience and need. “The opportunity to monitor and control disease agents is crucial if we are to guarantee a robust and rapidly growing cleaner fish sector”, says Stian Nylund, Head of Research at PHARMAQ Analytiq. “In order to make optimal use of the potential of cleaner fish, it is vital that they are free of infectious diseases. This ensures the health and welfare of the fish themselves, and also protects the salmon with which they share the net pens”, he says.

This monitoring programme will enable the cleaner fish sector to reduce infection risk, for example in connection with the transfer of fish to and from, or their introduction into, pens. The early detection of disease agents gives us an opportunity to take action and thus reduce the risk of disease outbreaks. It may also be relevant prior to vaccination to be aware as to whether the fish are carrying certain agents so that we can assess how to handle the situation and mitigate the risk of disease development. The prevention of vertical disease transfer from broodstock to progeny may also be a relevant issue.