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NoLice

Novel tools and knowledge for a future with no lice infestations in Norwegian aquaculture

Through collection and analysis of production data, Alvestad has identified risk factors for reduced fish health, welfare and product quality in commercial salmon farming in northern Norway. The salmon in this image is not from the farms he studied. Photo: Frank Gregersen © Nofima. Through collection and analysis of production data, Alvestad has identified risk factors for reduced fish health, welfare and product quality in commercial salmon farming in northern Norway. The salmon in this image is not from the farms he studied. Photo: Frank Gregersen © Nofima.

The overall aim of this project is to identify naturally produced compounds that are associated with Atlantic salmon susceptibility and resistance to two parasitic sea lice species and to develop tools that can be applied to boost Atlantic salmon resistance and reduce lice infestation in Norway.

Last update

Read in Norwegian

Start

01. Jan 2021

End

31. Dec 2024

Funded by

The Research Council of Norway

Cooperation

Roslin Institute (The University of Edinburgh), Institute of Marine Research, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Rothamsted Research, MOWI, Benchmark Genetics, Cargill.

Project Manager(s):

Nicholas Andrew Robinson

Other Participants:

Aleksei Krasnov
Gerrit Timmerhaus
Muhammad Luqman Aslam
Anna Kristina Sonesson
Elisabeth Ytteborg
Lene Sveen
Torstein Tengs
Bernhard Eckel

We have previously established that there is substantial genetic variation in susceptibility to lice infestation within farmed Norwegian Atlantic salmon populations. We have also detected some compounds released by the skin of Atlantic salmon that are associated with this variation.

However the mechanisms triggering the release of these compounds, and their underlying genetic basis is still unknown.

This project will:

  • Identify host-specific compounds associated with susceptibility to lice parasitisation
  • Test whether measurement of these compounds could provide an accurate and more ethical phenotype (without challenge testing) for breeding to boost resistance
  • Identify and test feed additives that could potentially block production of attractant compounds or boost mucosal secretion of compounds repelling lice
  • Test for additional effects on the reproductive capacity of the lice and its epidemiology that might be derived from breeding for resistance

The research objectives and results of this project will integrate with those of the research project CrispResist, funded by the Norwegian Seafood Reserach Fund (FHF), and utilise results from our previous projects- This will enhance genetic improvement with selective breeding and prioritise candidate genes for manipulation via feed additives to produce salmon with full or high resistance.

Outcomes will include improved fundamental knowledge of lice resistance mechanisms and development of tools that can be applied to boost genetic and non-genetic resistance to sea lice.

Publications

How are genetic technologies being applied to combat infectious diseases in aquaculture?

The Fish Site thefishsite.com, 2022 Article in business/trade/industry journal

Applying genetic technologies to combat infectious diseases in aquaculture

Reviews in Aquaculture, 2023 Academic literature review

Research areas

Breeding and genetics

Farmed fish

Topics

Breeding programs

Fish health

Salmon lice

Research facilities

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Research Station for Sustainable Aquaculture

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Press release

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New members join a team working to reduce the problem of salmon lice in fish farming

Files and Links

About the project at the Research Council of Norway website