Advanced technology is helping the aquaculture industry to take a step towards the future. But what about biology?

Outbreak of cardiomyopathic syndrome (CMS) in farming sites has helped in uncovering genetic QTL markers for this disease. CMS field outbreak mortality from a Marine Harvest site indicates that genetic markers on two chromosomal regions might confer stronger survival and robustness to CMS.

In cooperation with R&D partners, Nofima has identified and validated genetic markers for resistance to PD in Atlantic salmon.

In the field of applied breeding programmes we combine traditional breeding techniques with new knowledge about genetics and the genome. We use and develop knowledge and techniques such that fish breeders can improve key properties of species in the aquaculture industry in an efficient manner.

Our scientists have pioneered work in fish breeding since the beginning of the 1970s, and have contributed to the ability of the Norwegian aquaculture industry to produce salmon now with better health and in half the time previously required, using less feed.