Atlantic salmon is a key species with more than 2.5 million tonnes, valued at $15.6 billion, farmed annually. However, mucosal infections, particularly those caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum, pose a major industry challenge, leading to high mortality rates, severe skin and gill damage, and immune suppression. Current treatments, including mechanical, thermal, and chemical methods such as antibiotics, often cause mucosal dysbiosis and weaken fish immunity. This project aims to develop a novel mucosal microflora stabiliser (MMS) delivered via bath treatment to restore and reinforce the skin and gill microbiota, improving mucosal integrity, immune resilience, and pathogen resistance.
The project will assess how well MMS reduces dysbiosis in external mucosal-associated lymphoid tissues (MALT), particularly in the skin and gills, following stress-inducing husbandry practices. It also seeks to develop a low-regulatory-barrier intervention with broad applications across global salmon production systems.
This study will produce scientifically robust and industry-relevant data on the potential of MMS as a next-generation mucosal health intervention for salmon aquaculture. By addressing a critical challenge in fish health management, it aims to reduce antibiotic reliance, improve fish welfare, and enhance the resilience of global aquaculture systems.
