SAIC project identifies early markers for gill disease in farmed salmon.
A research partnership supported by the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC) has advanced understanding of complex gill disease (CGD) in Atlantic salmon, one of the sector’s most significant health challenges.
The £860,000 project involved Scottish Sea Farms, the University of Aberdeen and feed producer BioMar, with research conducted on salmon stocks in Scotland and Tasmania.
Gill health is a critical factor for fish welfare and can be compromised by disease and changing marine conditions. The study found that microbial diversity in the gills declines as disease severity increases. Researchers also identified more than 90 genetic markers that could enable earlier detection of CGD, providing farmers with new tools for monitoring and intervention.
The project concluded that specialist diets alone did not significantly improve outcomes. Instead, effective management depends on combined measures including environmental adaptation, surveillance and targeted health interventions.
The findings have been shared with the sector to support improved disease monitoring and long-term sustainability in salmon farming.
