Enhanced fish performance and biosecurity by manipulation of the natural microbiome of Atlantic salmon

Abstract

The project aimed to enhance Atlantic salmon's performance and biosecurity by manipulating their microbiome. The study investigated whether specific seawater bacteria from healthy salmon skin could improve smolts' survival after seawater transfer. Scale-explants were used to study host-bacterial interactions. Although some bacteria showed probiotic potential, they did not significantly reduce mortality or improve fish health and welfare when challenged with Moritella viscosa or after seawater transfer. The study emphasized the importance of removing fish with winter ulcer disease and the complexity of skin mucus layer colonization.