Scotland hosts international fish farming seminars
Held over three-days in Edinburgh, over 160 fish farmers, vets, fish health experts, academics, researchers, government officials and pharmaceutical, feed and public sector delegates from Scotland, Norway, Canada, Ireland, and Chile learned about new techniques developed by industry and researchers in Scotland designed to provide additional safeguards for the protection and well-being of farmed fish.
Organised by the Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO) and the Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum (SARF) delegates at the 'Scottish Sea Lice Symposium' last week learned about the use of semiochemicals to prevent lice from wild fish attaching to farm stock; the early success of wrasse as cleaner fish in the natural control of lice, and new developments in feeding, breeding and vaccination as lice-defence mechanisms.
Scottish and international delegates also attended the 'Sea Lice Multination Initiative' where they learned about new international research initiatives and agreements to share information on best practice.
Professor Phil Thomas, Chairman of SSPO, said: “Sea lice are endemic natural parasites of wild salmon, sea trout and other marine fish species, so there is always some risk of farmed fish being exposed to them. However, research developments are offering new and innovative ways to reduce the risk of sea lice transfer to farmed fish and to control any transfer that might occur.”
Dr John Webster, Technical Director, SSPO, said: “People attending these events were greatly encouraged by the sheer volume and quality of research taking place on different approaches to improving our ability to control lice. Industry is investing many millions of pounds in high quality research and development that is making a real difference to fish health and welfare.
“A Scottish sea lice research and development strategy has existed for over twenty years. Since the late ’80s, Industry and researchers have been involved in collaborative research projects that have helped to deliver a number of significant practical benefits,” he added.
