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PRODUCT CATALOGUESalmon eggs 2015/2016Rainbow trout eggs 2016
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Salmon eggs 2015/2016 - Start material with the best potential for growth, survival and fillet colour.....................Genetic background for salmon eggs 2015/2016........................................Biosecurity and quality control.................................................................Delivery time.........................................................................................Product overview for salmon eggs 2015/2016............................................
Product documentationRED: Strong and even fillet colour.............................................................CMS: Protection against CMS - better heart health......................................PD: Resistance against PD....................................................................... Information letter: Field documentation of QTL-innOva IPN/PD...........IPN: Resistance against IPN.................................................................... Information letter: Use of QTL-eggs results in an IPN reduction for the whole of Norway ....................................STERILE: Sterile salmon..........................................................................TRACK: DNA tracking of escaped farmed salmon........................................ Rainbow trout eggs 2016 - Start material with the best potential for growth and survival......................................Genetic background for rainbow trout eggs 2016........................................Biosecurity and quality control.................................................................Delivery time.........................................................................................Product overview for rainbow trout eggs...................................................
Product documentationIPN: IPN resistance for rainbow trout........................................................
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AquaGen product catalogue | Table of contents
Table of contents
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AquaGen salmon eggs 2015/2016
SALMON EGGS 2015/2016Start material with the best potential for growth, survival and fi llet colour
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At AquaGen we carry out several selections of broodstock at different stages before the final selection is allowed to produce eggs for the farmers. The selection process occurs both at the family- and individual level. The salmon eggs that AquaGen will deliver are the results of selective breeding for a range of important traits through 11 generations since the 1970s. How long the different traits have been selected for, as well as the intensity of the selection is very important for the total progress which today’s products represent.
At the present time more than 20 traits are recorded from over 600 families. A compre-hensive recording program ensures progress in these desirable traits while at the same time minimalizing the risk of unwanted or un-expected side effects.
The figure below shows the main traits which are measured, selected and controlled in the selective breeding program (breeding nucleus) set up in relation to the commersial egg pro-ducing generation to be phased in.
Salmon eggs which will be delivered to our customers hatcheries in the 2015/2016 season will be produced from the top-ranking families that were first fed in 2012 (marked with grey in the chart).
Genetic Background for Salmon Eggs 2015/2016Elite material from this generation is transferred to our egg production operations. After a four year production cycle the best individuals are selected as broodstock. In this way the best genetics will be reproduced on a large scale to benefit all fish farmers.
Since 2009 AquaGen has implemented new modern technology called Marker Assisted Selection. Based on this new technology platform we are able to directly select parents to be used in egg-production that possess specific genetic markers (QTLs) that are highly associated with resistance to specific viral diseases and fillet colour.
Previously when all traits were selected using traditional breeding methods, we had to make a compromise when weighting the various traits. Traits which are selected by use of genetic markers will not be detrimental to other traits. This means that we can emphasize the trait “growth” (traditional selection) to a greater degree while also getting the traits for virus resistance/quality (gene based selection).
This double selection, both on family- and individual level, ensures a balanced weighting of robust and effective traits as well as high viral resistance and strong fillet colour in the offspring.
AquaGen salmon eggs 2015/2016
1972-75: 2005:First feeding year for juveniles of brood fish The four year classes collected from 41 Norwegian salmon rivers. were merged into one.
72 76 80 84 88 92 96 00 04Class of year 73 77 81 85 89 93 97 01(first feeding) 74 78 82 86 90 94 98 02
75 79 83 87 91 95 99 03
FILLET COLOUR
ISA
IPNProduction/efficiency traitsHealth/robustness traits FILLET TEXTUREGene marker based breeding method started PDThe top-ranking families first fed in 2012 are the base for brood fish stripping in 2015/2016 CMS
LICE
SKELETAL DEFORMITIESGROWTH FRESH WATER
BODY SHAPE
GROWTH SEA WATERSEXUAL MATURATION
FILLET FATSLAUGHTER YIELD
Implementation of traits based on traditional- and gene marker selective breeding methods in AquaGen's breeding programme (nucleus) of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar )
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FURUNCULOSIS
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05 06 07 1009
Traits
Generation0 1 2 865
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AquaGen salmon eggs 2015/2016
Biosecurity and Quality ControlFish health surveillance in AquaGen is carried out through the entire lifecycle of the fish. In the final nine months before stripping the monitoring is intensified.This includes comprehensive autopsy and screening of all broodstock populations in the AquaGen system.
Production is monitored by both internal and external fish health personnel, and by government and private entities. AquaGen is certified according to GLOBAL GAP (food safety, environmental protection, fish welfare, and health, safety and welfare for employees), FREEDOM-FOOD (animal welfare), ISO 9001:2008 (quality leader-ship) and Code-EFABAR (best practice within animal farm breeding and reproduction).
AquaGen’s production plants at Hemne and Tingvoll are located in EU-approved ISA-free compartments at the highest security level. ISA has never been detected in these compartments. AquaGen’s broodstock populations are routinely screened for IPN virus, ISA virus, PD virus and the BKD bacterium during the entire production cycle of four years.
Individual testing of parents at stripping can be carried out in addition if ordered in advance.
Relevant health information about brood fish and eggs will be documented in a separate HEALTH CV and included in all egg deliveries.
Delivery Time In the egg season of 2015/2016 AquaGen will deliver eggs from the end of September 2015 to the middle of August 2016:
In the figure below the differing production timelines are presented for salmon through the fresh-water phase and the salt-water phase, based on early, normal and late eggs. The figure shows how AquaGen by means of managed production of broodstock can contribute to the optimal exploitation of our customer’s production facility capacity.
Should there be a requirement for un- expected additional eggs, due to operating accidents, diseases or lack of capacity in cus-tomers own facilities, AquaGen often has the ability to help out with deliveries in such situations.
Categories
• Early eggs • Normal eggs • Late eggs
Delivery Time
Wk. 40-46 (Sep. 25 - Nov. 15)Wk. 47-15 (Nov. 16 - Apr. 17)Wk. 16-33 (Apr. 18 - Aug. 21)
Production plan for salmon in the FRESH-WATER PHASECategory
Oct Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun0-year Smolt0-/1-year During the winter the smolt can also be kept 0-year in tanks/cages and transfered to sea as big smolt.
Production plan for salmon in the SEA-WATER PHASECategory
Jul Oct Nov Dec Feb Mar Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar0-year 0-/1-year 0-year
Smolt SmoltHarvest
Smolt
AugJunMaySmolt
2nd year in sea
Jan
May
Normal eggs
Aug
Late eggsSmolt
Smolt
Harvest
4th year in sea1st year in sea
HarvestSmolt
Sep3rd year in sea
3rd year1st year 2nd yearDesNovSepAug
Early eggs Apr
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Product Overview for Salmon Eggs 2015/2016
AquaGen salmon eggs 2015/2016
Product Description
Egg
type
s
AquaGen® Atlantic QTL-innOva®
The broodstock undergo initially a traditional family-based selection with information from more than 20 measured traits. When the top brood candidates are selected on this level, we are taking samples for DNA analysis to find genetic markers (QTLs*) associated with different traits. IPN is included in every QTL prod-uct. Various combinations of QTL traits that can be selected are listed below:
IPN/PD/CMS/RED Provides resistance against IPN, PD and CMS and strong fillet colour. The males are chosen using the genetic markers for IPN, PD, CMS and fillet colour.
IPN/PD/CMS Provides resistance against IPN, PD and CMS. The males are chosen using the genetic markers for IPN, PD and CMS.
IPN/PD/RED Provides resistance against IPN and PD and strong fillet colour. The males are chosen using the genetic markers for IPN, PD and fillet colour.
IPN/CMS/RED Provides resistance against IPN and CMS and strong fillet colour. The males are chosen using the genetic markers for IPN and CMS and fillet colour.
IPN/PD Provides resistance against IPN and PD. The males are chosen using the genetic mark-ers for IPN and PD.
IPN/CMS Provides resistance against IPN and CMS. The males are chosen using the genetic markers for IPN and CMS.
IPN/RED Provides resistance against IPN and strong fillet colour. The males are chosen using the genetic markers for IPN and fillet colour.
IPN Provides resistance against IPN. The males are chosen using the genetic markers for IPN.
Trea
tmen
t
AquaGen® Atlantic GREEN
After the egg type is selected, one or more treatments of the broodfish/eggs can be chosen:
STERILE Sterilization of eggs which after pressure treatment on recently fertilized eggs makes the fish sterile. This procedure can be done on all types of eggs listed above. Since this production requires extra planning and greater safety margins than ordinary, the ordering deadline is September 1, 2015.
TRACK DNA tracking of farmed fish where potential escapees can be checked against the par-ent fish (both male & female) which are used for a specific egg delivery. DNA analysis will confirm or deny the relationship between parents and offspring and track the fish back to the owner. Since this production requires extra planning and greater safety margins than ordinary, the ordering deadline is August 1, 2015.
ORGANIC Organic eggs from broodstock reared at lower stocking densities. Since this production requires extra planning and greater safety margins than ordinary, the order deadline is August 1, 2015.
Virus testing Individual testing of female- and male broodstock for IPNV, PDV, ISAV and/or HSMIV at the time of stripping. Broodstock free from virus are used in the egg production only.
*QTL = Gene marker (Quantitative Trait Loci). Area on the salmon genome (marker) which is closely connected to a gene which controls a specific characteristic in the individual.
Early ordering, before August 1, 2015 contributes to better production planning and higher delivery assurance in regard to choice of product type, amount and time of delivery. Depending on the results from genotyping of this season’s broodstock, some types of products may have limited availability.
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Number of colour-QTLs (Q)
2007
2010
2014
This material has been stored in the Biobank that AquaGen established in associ-ation with the breeding companies Geno and Norsvin. In order to search for QTLs signif-icantly connected with fillet colour a newly developed SNP chip, containing a total of 950,000 genetic markers specially designed for the AquaGen strain was used.
Three genetic markers for fillet colourThree significant QTLs were found, all having a moderate to strong effect on fillet colour (Figure 1). By combining the identified QTLs in the selection of brood fish, it was possible to document a substantially increased aver-age level of astaxanthin in the fillet. At the same time variation between fish within the same group was reduced. The effect of the three colour-QTLs was also tested in fish of differing size, and results show that the bene-ficial effect is independent from weight. This provides flexibility in the timing for harvesting (Figure 2).
How do the colour-QTLs work?Functional studies of the genes associated with the three colour-QTLs, show that they increase absorption and reduce breakdown of astaxanthin in the intestine. Astaxanthin is a strong antioxidant that protects cells against oxidative stress and contributes to a strong immune system. Research has shown that astaxanthin has beneficial health effects both for salmon and those that eat it.
Strong and even fillet colourBetter and more even pigmentation is an important goal for most farmers. With an increasing degree of processing and product differentiation, a high, stable and predictable pigment level in the fillet becomes increasing-ly important for both the processing industry and consumer. A strong red colour also means that the fillet contains a high level of astaxanthin, which is documented to have positive health related benefits for both salm-on and humans. A precise selection of brood fish using three colour-QTLs will ensure a strong and even colour in the fillet.
Salmon genes that affect pigmentationA salmons’ ability to accumulate pigment that is supplied in feed varies between different life stages and seasons. It has also been documented that there is a significant genetic variation and heritability of the trait. Several independent studies have shown that between 35% and 55% of variation in fillet colour can be explained with genetics. With modern breeding technology where selection is based to a greater degree directly on genes or ge-netic-marker tests, we have far better meth-ods to achieve rapid progress on important traits.
Specially developed genotyping toolThrough 20 years, more than 15,000 DNA samples were taken from AquaGen fish withaccurate recording of pigment levels for fish.
Product documentation RED
Figure 1. Average fillet colour in relation to the number of colour-QTLs, Q, in salmon from three different gener-ations. A total of 6,000 salmon at around 3.5kgs con-tributed to the data. Each of the three colour-QTLs has 1 or 2 copies of the favourable gene marker, Q. In fish with QTL-innOva® RED the number of copies of Q lies between 3 and 6, but is mostly 4 and 5 Q. Benefits of QTL-innOva® RED:
• Higher average and reduced variation in fillet colour in batches
• More effective utilisation of pigment con-tent in feed, especially during periods with strong growth
• Greater flexibility with timing of harvesting
Products with strong and even fillet colour:• AquaGen® Atlantic QTL-innOva® IPN/PD/CMS/RED• AquaGen® Atlantic QTL-innOva® IPN/PD/RED• AquaGen® Atlantic QTL-innOva® IPN/CMS/RED• AquaGen® Atlantic QTL-innOva® IPN/RED
Figure 2. Fillet colour groups of salmon (total 203 fish) of different size from 200g to 7 kg, compared to the number of the favourable gene marker, Q, from three colour-QTLs. QTL- innOva® RED will contain 3 to 6 Q, but mostly 4 and 5 Q.
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Product documentationCMS
Protection against CMS – Better heart healthCardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS), is a heart disease affecting salmon that is caused by Pis-cine myocarditis virus (PMCV). CMS often occurs late in the seawater phase affecting large fish and has become an increasing problem for the Norwegian aquaculture indus-try since 2010, with 107 cases registered in 2014. The use of QTL eggs that are selected for resistance to CMS is documented to pro-vide significantly improved heart health that contributes to a more robust salmon. Development and results of QTL-innOva® CMSBased on data and tissue samples from a field outbreak of CMS in 2008, there was found to be a very good correlation between virus level in the heart, heart tissue damage and mortal-ity. The fish in the study were genotyped and a strong QTL was found that related to virus level in the heart. Effect of the QTL was sub-sequently tested and confirmed in both a field outbreak and a controlled disease challenge test. In one field outbreak in 2011 around 20% reduced mortality was recorded for fish with the CMS-QTL and an economic analysis showed that as little as 1% CMS related mor-tality was enough to justify the investment in CMS-QTL.
It was in 2012 that the offspring of the CMS resistant families from the CMS outbreak in 2008 were subjected to an infection challenge with PCMV in the laboratory.
Heart damage was assessed using histopa-thology and once again there was significantly reduced damage in fish that had the CMS-QTL (Figure 1).
Field experience with QTL-innOva® CMS Autumn 2014 was the first time that S0 smolt were transferred of QTL-innOva® IPN/PD/CMS and QTL-innOva® IPN/PD in two locations that had a history of CMS outbreaks. Until now, CMS has not been recorded in any of the fish groups in these locations.
Following 8.5 months in the sea, at location A, good growth was recorded for all fish groups. At location B there is a tendency for better growth of fish type QTL-innOva® IPN/PD/CMS. On both locations there is on average a lower mortality rate for fish of QTL-innOva® IPN/PD/CMS (Figure 2).
Better heart health gives more robust salmon In QTL-innova® CMS the most CMS sensitive individuals (qq) are eliminated from the pop-ulation. This will result in an increased barrier to the introduction and spreading of PMCV in the population, which will therefore be more robust to stress like lice treatment, transport and storage in stand by cages.
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qq Qq QQ
Hea
rt da
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isto
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Genotypes for CMS-QTL
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Growth rate (TGC3) Mortality (%)
Benefits of QTL-innOva® CMS:• Reduced virus levels in the heart, reduced heart
damage and lower mortality from CMS outbreak• Higher degree of herd immunity by the elimi-
nation of the most susceptible individuals• Robust fish that withstand transport and han-
dling better in the final phase of production
Products with CMS protection:• AquaGen® Atlantic QTL-innOva® IPN/PD/CMS/RED• AquaGen® Atlantic QTL-innOva® IPN/PD/CMS• AquaGen® Atlantic QTL-innOva® IPN/CMS/RED• AquaGen® Atlantic QTL-innOva® IPN/CMS
Figure 2. Growth and mortality after 8.5 months in the sea for salmon that have gene markers for CMS resistance (QTL-innOva® IPN/PD/CMS) and salmon without this gene marker (QTL-innOva® IPN/PD). Fish populations came from the same hatchery, were transferred in September 2014 and went into several separate cages in two loca-tions. There was a diagnosis of HSMI in IPN/PD fish in cage 4 at location B.
Figure 1. Effect on heart damage of QTL-innOva® CMS after disease challenge with PMCV on salmon of average 2.3kgs. The sum of grading for heart damage by histo-pathology (± standard error) is conducted on 68 fish for each gene variant. Fish with 1 (qQ) or 2 (QQ) copies of the beneficial marker that are included in QTL-innOva® CMS, had significantly reduced heart damage compared with the unfavourable gene variant (qq).
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Product documentation PD
All of the sites are situated in areas known historically for a high infection pressure with SAV. Of the 19 follow-up sites, 15 had previ-ously experienced clinical PD outbreaks.
Results from field documentation4 of the 19 sites have been diagnosed with PD, all of them with limited PD specific mortality. In addition the follow up has shown that 11 sites with a history of PD don’t have any detection of PD after stocking with QTL-innOva® IPN/PD. Mortality has been low across the board at all follow up sites. Records show less than 5% accumulated mortality on 13 of the 19 participating sites that have had fish in the sea for more than 10 months (Figure 2). Both PD and IPN, two of the most costly diseases in the last 10-15 years seem to be on the decline in fish farming. Results so far show that QTL-innOva® IPN/PD provides a double effect, by both producing a reduction in an important pre-disposing factor for PD (IPN outbreak), at the same time as increas-ing the overall ability to resist infection pres-sure from SAV in the environment. This will contribute significantly to an enhanced “vir-tuous circle” with a gradual reduction in the number of PD outbreaks/SAV positive popula-tions and a commensurate gradual reduction of the infection pressure in the environment.
Resistance against PDPancreas Disease (PD), caused by Salmonid alphavirus (SAV), has for many years been one of the most costly diseases affecting salmon farming. In recent time there has been recorded a positive trend of a reduction in the number of PD outbreaks. Based on efficacy data from both laboratory and field trials QTL-innOva® IPN/PD will make an important contribution to the continuing fight against PD. Development of QTL-innOva IPN/PDAquaGen has utilised challenge data from both field and laboratory, to identify and document gene markers with effect against PD. Gene markers that have been identified to date are not like the simple and strong IPN-QTL, but used in combination they will give a considerable increase in resistance to PD for fish. Our analysis also showed that among the three strongest QTL’s associat-ed with PD protection we find the IPN-QTL. Based on the findings of QTL searches and subsequent documentation from laboratory infection trials (Figure 2), the product QTL-in-nOva® IPN/PD was launched in the market in the egg-season 2010/11.
Field documentation – evaluation of effectIn order to evaluate the effect of QTL-innOva® IPN/PD in the field, we have, from autumn 2011 had a close follow up on a total of 19 sites with nearly 8 million salmon.
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Standard eggs Standard eggs Standard eggsQTL-innOva IPN/PDQTL-innOva IPN/PDQTL-innOva IPN/PD
Figure 1. Preliminary efficacy studies of QTL-innOva® IPN/PD using waterborne infection. All parallel groups of fry derived from parents selected based on gene mark-ers associated with IPN and PD resistance (grey line), showing significant reduction in mortality compared to standard fry groups without QTL.
Products with PD resistance:• AquaGen® Atlantic QTL-innOva® IPN/PD/CMS/RED• AquaGen® Atlantic QTL-innOva® IPN/PD/CMS• AquaGen® Atlantic QTL-innOva® IPN/PD/RED• AquaGen® Atlantic QTL-innOva® IPN/PD
Benefits of QTL-innOva® IPN/PD:• Defence against both PD and IPN • Synergistic effect – increased IPN defence
gives reduced risk for PD • Field experience shows that the incidence
and mortality of PD is reduced in compar-ison with previous years that didn’t use QTL-innOva® IPN/PD
Figure 2. Recorded mortality/losses and number of months after sea transfer of fish at sites participating in field documentation. Sites are located in the area from Rugsund in Bremanger to Hardanger fjord.
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Loss
es in
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Months in sea
Harvested location, PD negative
Harvested location, PD positive
Not harvested location, PD negative
Not harvested location, PD positive
PD status og registrert dødelighet på forsøkslokaliteter med QTL-innOva IPN/PD
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Field documentation of QTL-innOva IPN/PD Pancreas Disease (PD), caused by Salmonid alphavirus (SAV), has for many years been one of the most costly diseases affecting Norwegian salmon farming. Producers and the authorities have implemented a number of structural and operational measures with the aim of limiting losses from this disease. In addition different vaccines against PD have been developed as well as different types of special feed.
PD-free project On behalf of the Norwegian Seafood Federation (FHL) the Norwegian Veterinary Institute carried out a major analysis (2011) where a number of different measures were evaluated for the effect they have had to limit the scope and prevalence of PD (PD-free project). The analysis was based on operational, health and harvest data from a total of 202 smolt inputs during the period 2007-2009. The two main parameters that showed signifi cantly reduced risk for PD outbreaks and infl uenced the severity of the outbreaks were (i) Vaccination against PD and (ii) Avoidance of IPN outbreaks during the production cycle. There is reason to believe that the widespread use of PD-vaccination in endemic zones, combined with a signifi cant reduction in the number of outbreaks of IPN has contributed signifi cantly to the positive development of the PD situation, as registered during the most recent period (Figure 1).
Development of QTL-innOva-IPN/PD Ever since 2005, breeding for increased resistance against PD has been central to our R&D programme at AquaGen. In the period 2006-2008 a large scale fi eld trial was carried out, in which 395 families were transferred for PD challenge under natural fi eld conditions. AquaGen has utilised data from both the preliminary fi eld trial and various follow-up laboratory challenge tests, to identify and document the genetic markers that have effi cacy against PD. These markers are not as clear and strong as IPN-QTL, but combined, they could signifi cantly increase PD-resistance of fi sh. Our analysis also showed that among the three strongest QTL’s associated with PD protection we fi nd the IPN-QTL. Based on the fi ndings of QTL searches and subsequent documentation from laboratory infection trials (Figure 2), the product QTL -innOva IPN/PD was launched in the market in the egg-season 2010/11.
Field documentation set-up The fi rst fi sh produced from QTL-innOva IPN/PD eggs were transferred to sea in the autumn of
2011. To be able to evaluate the effect of these eggs in the fi eld we have closely followed up fi sh at a total of 19 locations, comprised of 8 loca-tions in autumn 2011, 3 locations in spring 2012 and 8 locations in autumn 2013 (table 1). All of these locations were in the area from Rugsund in Bremanger to Hardanger fjord where histor-ically there has been a high infectious pressure from SAV.
Table 1. Overview of numbers of smolt and locations in-volved in the fi eld documentation of QTL-innOva IPN/PD.
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Feltforsøk med QTL-innOva IPN/PD Forsøksoppsett
Egg year class
Smolttransfer
Total numberof locations
Locations with a PD history
Number offish
(millions)
Status(July 2013)
2010/11 Autumn2011
8 7 3.05 Harvested
2010/11 Spring2012
3 3 1.34 Ongoingharvest
2011/12 Autumn2012
8 5 3.37 About1 year in sea
Total 19 15 7.76
Registreringer gjennom produksjonssyklusen: ● PD-status ● Dødelighet/svinn ● Slaktekvalitet
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Figure 2. Preliminary ef-fi cacy studies of QTL-in-nOva IPN/PD using water-borne infection. All parallel groups of fry derived from parents selected based on gene markers associated with IPN and PD resistance (grey lines), showing signif-icant reduction in mortality compared to standard fry groups without QTL.
Figure 1. Development in the number of PD outbreaks in Norwegian salmon arm-ing in the last 4 years (roll-ing 12 months interval). In the last 7 months we have seen a clear reduction in the number of cases of PD. Source: Norwegian Veteri-nary Institute.
Of the 19 locations involved in the fi eld docu-mentation, 15 had previously experienced clin-ical outbreaks. All of the fi sh that were in the fi eld trial were also PD vaccinated.
Results from fi eld documentationThe results from the fi eld documentation are presented in fi gure 3, 4 and 5. Following there is a brief summary of each smolt transfer.
Autumn 2011:A total of 8 sites with 3 million fi sh transferred in autumn of 2011 were followed-up from stocking to harvest. Of the 8 sites, 7 had ex-perienced clinical PD outbreaks in the previous intake. PD was detected at 3 of the sites and an average accumulated loss from transfer to har-vest for these sites was 13.2%. Average accumulated losses for all 8 sites, from stocking to harvest was 7%. There was no evidence of IPN in any of the sites that were monitored.
Spring 2012:A total of 3 sites, all with previous PD outbreaks, in total 1.3 million fi sh were transferred and followed up with respect to PD. Accumulated losses for all 3 sites from stocking to the end of June 2013 are 9.8%. To date there hasn’t been any diagnosis of IPN or PD on any of the sites (14-15 months post-stocking).
Autumn 2012:In total, 8 sites with 3.4 million fi sh stocked and followed up with respect to PD. Of these sites, 5 had PD outbreaks in the previous production cycle. By the end of June 2013, 1 of these sites had a diagnosis of PD. Accumulated mortality for this site from intake to the end of June is at 1%. Accumulated losses for all of the 8 transfers up until the end of June is at 1.1% (8-11 months post transfer). By the end of June there hasn’t been any diagnosis of IPN or PD at any of the other locations.
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PD i Norsk lakseoppdrett 2009-2013 antall PD utbrudd - 12 måneders rullerende
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Figure 3. Recorded mortal-ity/losses and number of months after sea transfer of fi sh on sites involved in the fi eld documentation trial. Sites are located in the area from Rugsund in Bremanger to Hardanger fjord where there is a historically high infection pressure from SAV.
Figure 4. Number and fre-quency of PD positive and PD negative sites in the fi eld documentation trial. In total 4 out of 19 (21%) sites involved in the fol-low-up have PD positive status. Corresponding fi g-ures from the Veterinary Institute report (2011) that included 202 stock-ings in the period spring 07– spring 09, are 115 out of 202 (57%) PD pos-itive.
Reduction in PD outbreaksBoth PD and IPN, two of the most costly diseases of the last 10-15 years are in marked decline in Norwegian aquaculture. We believe that this clear trend of a reduction, in the region of 40% in the number of PD diagnoses in the fi rst half of 2013, when compared to the fi rst half of 2012 was positively related to a large reduction in IPN that has occurred since 2010. Combined with a PD vaccine that has a moderate but signifi cant effect, it has contributed to a “virtuous circle” with a gradual reduction in the number of affected populations and a commensurate gradual reduction of the infection pressure in the environment. Based on effi cacy data from both laboratory and fi eld trials it is reasonable to expect that the situation going forward will improve as of the autumn 2013 transfers, which represent the fi rst stocking that will have a signifi cant proportion of fi sh based on QTL-innOva IPN/PD.
Facts
To produce eggs that are strong against PD, we must use several markers, each with a moderate eff ect (under 20%) and combine these with families of salmon that we previously found to be strong against PD in fi eld trials.
This compares with production of IPN-strong eggs which uses only one marker with very high eff ect (responsible for over 80% of variation in survival at IPN challenge).
For IPN eggs this means that we have a direct measure of whether the fi sh is strongly resist-ant or not (marker + or -). For PD eggs we cannot rely on just one marker. It follows that the selection of fi sh with the correct attrib-ute will be less precise at the individual level, but will be good at the group level.
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PD status - forsøkslokaliteterFrekvens og antall - PD positive vs negative
24 26
2123 21
3
01
15 12
2417 15
5
37
0 %10 %20 %30 %40 %50 %60 %70 %80 %90 %
100 %
S-07 A-07 S-08 A-08 S-09 A-11 S-12 A-12
Freq
uenc
yof
PD p
os/n
eg(%
)
Smolt transfer
PD negativePD positive
Data from VI-report (2011): Evaluation of effects in the PD-free projectNumber of stockings: 202
Data from field trial with QTL-innOva-IPN/PDNumber of stockings: 19
02468
1012141618202224
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19
Loss
es in
who
lepe
riod
(%)
Months in sea
Harvested location, PD negative
Harvested location, PD positive
Not harvested location, PD negative
Not harvested location, PD positive
PD status og registrert dødelighet på forsøkslokaliteter med QTL-innOva IPN/PD
13
4/4
Figure 5. Comparison of historic PD status at sites with PD status after stock-ing of QTL-innOva IPN/PD. Of the 15 sites that previously had PD on-site, 4 have also diagnosed PD after stocking of QTL-innOva IPN/PD (+,+), but 11 have the status of PD negative after stocking of QTL-innOva IPN/PD (+,-). None of the 4 sites without a history of PD have had a detection of PD after use of QTL-innOva IPN/PD (-,-).
0
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Num
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PD HISTORYAT LOCATION
PD STATUS WITHQTL-innOva IPN/PD
+ + + - + -
- -
14
Highly virulent IPN virus strains from IPN outbreaks isolated from the field were analysed for genetic modifications (muta-tions) and are included in challenge tests to determine whether the protective effect of QTL-innOva® is being maintained (Figure 2).In all, three genotypes were tested, qq (homozy-gote, IPN sensitive), qQ (heterozygote, IPN resistant) and QQ (homozygote, IPN resist-ant).
Accumulated mortality to completion of the test was 59.2% for qq, 8.0% for qQ and 2.6% for QQ. That results in a relative percent survival of 86.2 and 95.6% for groups with genotype Qq and QQ. This is in accordance with the expected degree of protection for the commercially available product, QTL-innOva® IPN that has a specified protection level of 82%. Results from analyses four years after introduction to the market, don’t give any indication that the IPN virus has managed to “figure out” the new defence mechanism contributed by QTL-innOva®.
Resistance against IPNIPN is considered as one of the most serious infectious diseases in most types of intensive aquaculture. Broad geographic coverage and many susceptible species, contribute to a continuous infection pressure from different reservoirs. For such diseases, increased host resistance will be an important contribution in controlling the distribution and extent of the disease. AquaGen introduced QTL-innO-va® IPN to the market in the autumn of 2009. Over the last four egg-seasons a total of 558 million QTL-innOva® eggs have been delivered to productions sites in Europe.
Field documentation with IPN resistant QTL-fishThe first QTL fish that originated from the egg intakes in 2009/2010 were transferred to sea in the autumn of 2010 (S0) and spring 2011 (S1). From these first generations of QTL-in-nOva® IPN eggs a total of 30.6 million fish at 44 locations were followed up and their performance compared with non QTL fish. The field documentation showed that both S0 and S1 year class had significantly reduced mortality (Figure 1) and fewer IPN diagnoses (0 and 1 against 1 and 7) than S0 and S1 of non QTL fish to 90 days post seawater transfer.
Efficacy testing with highly virulent IPNV field isolateGood challenge models based on a natural waterborne infection are an important prerequisite to both look for potential QTL and for subsequent evaluation of their efficacy and significance in practice. Additional use is made of infection trials as a part of AquaGen’s follow up of IPN eggs in the field.
Product documentationIPN
0
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14
Non QTL QTL-innOva IPN
Mor
talit
y (%
)
S0
S1
12 lo
catio
ns,
11.3
mill
. sa
lmon
11lo
catio
ns,
5.6
mill
. sa
lmon
14 lo
catio
ns,
11.4
mill
. sa
lmon
7lo
catio
ns,
2.3
mill
. sa
lmon
Figure 1. Total average mortality 90 days after sea transfer of salmon at 44 sites respectively S0 autumn 2010 and S1 spring 2011.
Products with IPN resistance:• All products from the AquaGen® Atlantic
QTL-innOva® -line
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
qq qQ QQ
Mor
talit
y(%
)
Genotype for IPN resistance
RPS = 86.2 % RPS = 95.6 %
Control
Figure 2. Accumulated mortality in IPN challenge test of salmon fry with different genotypes for IPN resistance. A highly virulent field isolate was used for the challenge. Relative percent survival (RPS) was 86.5% for qQ, and 95.6% QQ compared with qq as a control. Mortality for each group of genotypes is the average of two parallels.
Benefits of QTL-innOva® IPN:• Fish have defence against IPN for the whole
of their life• Optimised QTL-analysis provides a high
degree of assurance that QTL-eggs are com-posed of high resistant variants, qQ and QQ for IPN
• Repeated laboratory IPN challenge tests confirm the on-going high level of protection against IPN
• Field experience has given very positive feedback on performance under commercial conditions
15
Use of QTL-eggs results in an IPN reductionfor the whole of Norway Since the introduction of IPN resistant QTL-eggs in 2009, there has been seen a reduction in the number of recorded IPN diagnoses for salmon by 50 % during the period 2009-2012. Information from both farming companies and national statistics also shows that there has been a considerable reduction in mortality for both 2011 and 2012 generations of salmon in Norwegian fi sh farming. In the same period the number of QTL-eggs delivered to Norwegian fi sh farmers has increased greatly. Field investigations to document performance that began at the time of introduction of QTL-eggs underpin our conclusion that both the number and severity of outbreaks has been reduced.
Field investigations with IPN resistant QTL-fi shThe fi rst QTL-fi sh that had their origin in egg intakes from 2009/2010 egg generation were transferred to sea as S0 smolts in the autumn of 2010, and as S1 smolts in spring of 2011. From this egg generation fi sh were also transferred to sea that had not been selected with the assistance of the IPN gene marker. A total of 30.6 million fi sh distributed across 44 locations were followed up so that therelative performance of QTL-fi sh and non QTL-fi sh could be compared.
The results of the fi eld investigation showed that both S0 and S1 classes of QTL had a lower mortality (1.1 % and 4.6 % compared to 6.4 % and 12.7 %) and fewer IPN diagno-ses (0 and 3 compared to 1 and 7) than S0 and S1 of non QTL-fi sh up to 90 days after sea transfer (fi gure 1).
IPN resistance tested with a highly virulent fi eld isolateIt has been questioned as to whether the IPN virus would adapt in response to the use of IPN resistant QTL-eggs. As a part of AquaGen following-up on performance of QTL-eggs in the fi eld, highly virulent IPN strains involved in outbreaks have been isolated and analysed for genetic changes (mutations). Part of this follow-up involved a new challenge test that was carried out using a highly virulent IPN virus fi eld isolate by VESO Vikan in the spring of 2013.
1/2
Figure 1. Average mortality of salmon at 44 different loca-tions along the Norwegian coast which totally comprised of 30.6 million fi sh transferred to sea. The mortality is recorded 90 days after sea transfer for both S0– autumn 2010 and S1- spring 2011.
0
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4
6
8
10
12
14
Non QTL QTL-innOva IPN
Mor
talit
y (%
)
S0
S1
12 lo
catio
ns,
11.3
mill
. sa
lmon
11lo
catio
ns,
5.6
mill
. sa
lmon
14 lo
catio
ns,
11.4
mill
. sa
lmon
7lo
catio
ns,
2.3
mill
. sa
lmon
A total of three genotypes were tested, qq (homozygote for the trait IPN sensitive), qQ (heterozygote for the trait IPN resistant) and QQ (homozygote for the trait IPN resistant).
Accumulated mortality when the challenge terminated was 59.2 % for qq, 8.0 % for qQ and 2.6 % for QQ. This result gives a relative percent survival (RPS) of 86.5 % for qQ and 95.6 % for QQ, measured against qq as a control (fi gure 2). This agrees well with the expected degree of protection for this product (AquaGen declares a RPS of 82 % for QTL-innOva IPN).
The results from these analyses, four years after introduction to the market, don’t give any indication that the IPN virus has “found a way round” the defence mechanism posed by the QTL-innOva IPN.
Reduction in IPN diagnoses on a national levelAs the proportion of QTL-eggs used in Norwe-gian aquaculture has increased, the economic importance of the effect of IPN disease has been greatly reduced. National statistics from the Norwegian Veterinary Institute for fi sh health in 2012 showed that the number of outbreaks for the country had reduced by 50 % from 221 diagnoses in 2009 to 110 diagnoses in 2012 (fi gure 3). We believe that this trend will be maintained and show further
16
Figure 3. Number of IPN di-agnoses for salmon in fresh and sea water in Norway from 2009 to 2012 com-pared to the number of QTL-eggs delivered by AquaGen and the total number of eggs sold in the same peri-od. Source: Norwegian Vet-erinary Institute and Norwe-gian Seafood Federation.
Figure 2. Accumulated mortality from an IPN chal-lenge test of salmon fry with different genotypes for IPN resistance. A highly virulent fi eld isolate of the IPN virus was used for the challenge. Relative per-centage survival (RPS) was 86.5 % for qQ and 95.6 % for QQ compared with qq as a control. Mortality for each genotype is the aver-age of two parallels.
Facts
A fi sh is a homozygote when it has two identical variants of a gene on a chromosome pair. This can be described as either qq or QQ.
A fi sh is a heterozygote when it has two dif-ferent variants of the gene (qQ or Qq).
Genes can be dominant (denoted by a large let-ter, Q) or recessive (denoted by a small letter, q). Dominant genes will be expressed in the fi sh phenotype as long as there is at least one on the chromosomes in a pair (qQ, Qq or QQ). Recessive genes must be present on both chromosomes of a pair (qq) to be expressed in the fi sh.
2/2
0
10
20
30
40
50
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qq qQ QQ
Mor
talit
y(%
)
Genotype for IPN resistance
RPS = 86.2 % RPS = 95.6 %
Control
0
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2009 2010 2011 2012
No.
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ggs
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000)
No.
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dia
gnos
es in
sal
mon
IPN diagnoses insalmon
Total no. of eggs
No. of QTL-innOvaeggs
reductions in 2013-2014 by virtue of the fact that 70 to 80 % of all salmon eggs laid down will be of QTL origin.
A large reduction in the prevalence of IPN will also make a positive contribution towards the overall health status and resultant fi sh welfare of farmed fi sh. IPN outbreaks in freshwater often result in consequential effects in the form of variable or poor smolt quality. Furthermore it has been recently documented that fi sh populations that have previously experienced an IPN outbreak have a resulting higher risk for developing PD later in the production cycle.
17
Product documentation STERILE
Growth: Triploid salmon grows at least as well as diploids in freshwater, and up until body weight of 2-3 kg in seawater. From then on growth rate reduces, and in the final phase until harvest weight of 5-6 kg, then approximately 10% less weight should be expected compared to diploid. Experiments with long term exposure at elevated tempera-tures (19 °C) and low oxygen content (< 70% saturation) have shown that triploids are more sensitive to these environmental factors than diploids.
Animal welfare: Triploid salmon have a higher incidence of skeletal deformities, but this will reduce to the same level as diploids by increasing the phosphorous content of feed in freshwater and the first three months of the seawater phase (> 0.9% available phosphorus). A greater incidence of cataracts can be reduced if the food contains sufficient histidine (> 1.8%).
Sterile salmonAquaGen first introduced eggs for the production of sterile salmon in the season 2012/13. The main reason in Norway for producing these eggs is that sterility eliminates some of the possible negative impacts that escaped farmed salmon could have on wild salmon. Sterile salmon can also reduce other problems such as undesirable early maturation prior to harvest weight. The only available method for producing sterile eggs today is triploidization. Just after fertilization eggs are treated in a pressure chamber, resulting in the fish keeping three sets of chromosomes instead of two (diploid).
Egg productionAquaGen has installed newly developed equipment that can process large volumes, and that gives eggs a gentle and uniform treatment (Figure 1). The latter is essential for good survival during early development. For the first production in the project men-tioned below, the average mortality between egg delivery and first feeding was 3.2% and 2.4%, respectively for triploids and diploids. The new pressure chamber has been verified to produce 100% triploid eggs (Figure 2).
Production of triploid salmonAquaGen is currently participating in a project with five fish farming companies, to test the large-scale commercial production of triploid salmon.
Figure 1. Egg containers are taken horizontally into the pressure chamber (to the left) for triploidizing. With this automatic equipment eggs that are at a very vulnerable stage are gently handled.
Figure 2. Testing of yolksac fry that were triploidised us-ing the new pressure chamber. Test method used was flow cytometry, showing as expected that the average cell content of DNA is exactly 1.5 times higher in triploids than in diploids.
Benefits with GREEN STERILE:• Escaped sterile salmon cannot reproduce
and affect the genetics of wild salmon stocks
• Reduced quality problems with early matu-ration
• Increased flexibility in relation to harvest time
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71 73 75 77 79 81 83 85
Num
ber
of f
ish
DNA-content in cells (relative values)
DiploidTriploid
Products that can be sterilized:• All products from the AquaGen® Atlantic
QTL-innOva® -line
18
Product documentationTRACK
They have developed systems for genotyping from tissue samples. DNA profiles from previously analysed tissue samples from broodfish can be tested for relationship to potentially escaped fish if desired. The analysis uses 10,000 genetic markers, that will give 100% confidence in the answer to the possibility of a relationship.
Procedure for parental assignment 1. AquaGen takes a tissue sample from all
broodstock (both female and male) that is used for a specific egg delivery. The tissue samples are sent for genotyping at CIGENE.
2. Tissue samples (preserved in alcohol) from potential escapees are sent to CIGENE where a DNA analysis is carried out of these and all DNA profiles from broodstock used in the relevant egg deliveries.
3. The result of the analysis is first sent to AquaGen who link the analyses to an actual egg delivery, and then forward the results to the farmer.
DNA tracking of escaped farmed salmonThe escape of farmed salmon is an unwanted incident that has negative economic consequences for the fish farmer and may lead to genetic impacts on wild fish populations. AquaGen offer to store DNA from broodstock that are used in egg production, to allow tracking back from the offspring to their respective egg deliveries. Each egg batch delivered has unique parents, so should there be a suspect escaped fish it can be checked against the broodfish that were the parents of relevant egg deliveries. For tracking to be carried out in a secure way, it is important that recipients of eggs, smolts, production fish and harvest fish have good control of where the fish groups are at all times in the system. DNA – salmons’ identityEach fish has its own unique DNA which is the best and most secure identification an individual has. With the right tools offspring can be checked against parents to verify relationship. Markers are mapped points on the DNA which indicate variation between different individuals. Each fish gets half of its DNA from each of its parents, so by analysing both offspring and parents for known markers, relationship can be verified.
Reliable answers on parental assignmentCIGENE is the research centre at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences that has high competence within the field of genetics research.
Benefits with GREEN TRACK:• No physical marking of fish that are
transferred to sea• A secure method of relating broodfish to
their progeny• DNA tracking performed only at the fish
farmers request if the need arises • Gives protection against false claims of
escapes from fish farms
Products with DNA tracking:• All products from the AquaGen® Atlantic
QTL-innOva® -line
Figure 1. DNA tracking of parents for each individual egg delivery is performed using tissue samples of all male and female fish taken at the point of fertilisation. Tissue samples are registered electronically so that results from genotyping can be tracked back to the correct egg deliv-ery and fish farm in the future.
Figure 2. DNA from a potentially escaped farmed fish can be genotyped and checked against a database of farmed fish parents. If the DNA analysis shows a positive cor-relation between the salmon and registered parents, specific information on egg delivery can be tracked back to the correct smolt site with 100% confidence. As an alternative, the analysis can also reveal whether salmon belong to different wild strains or hybrid strains of wild and farmed salmon.
EGGDELIVERY
DATE, NUMBER,FARM
PARENTS
Escaped farmed salmon?
FARMSTRAIN 2
FARMSTRAIN 3
HYBRIDSTRAIN 2
HYBRIDSTRAIN 1
FARMSTRAIN 1
FARMED SALMON
WILDSTRAIN 2
WILDSTRAIN 3
WILDSTRAIN 1
WILD SALMON
DNA
19
RAINBOW TROUT EGGS 2016Start material with the best
potential for growth and survival
AquaGen rainbow trout eggs 2016
20
AquaGen rainbow trout eggs 2016
At AquaGen we carry out several selections of broodstock at different stages before the final selection is allowed to produce eggs for the farmers. The selection process occurs both at the family- and individual level. The Rainbow trout eggs that AquaGen will deliver are the results of selective breeding for a range of important traits through 15 genera-tions. How long the different traits have been selected for, as well as the intensity of the selection is very important for the total progress which today’s products represent.
At the present time a total of 12 traits are recorded from 200 families. A comprehensive recording program ensures progress in these desirable traits while at the same time minimalizing the risk of unwanted or unexpected side effects.
The figure below shows the main traits which are measured, selected and controlled in the selective breeding program (breeding nucleus) set up in relation to the commersial egg pro-ducing generation to be phased in.
Genetic Background for Rainbow Trout Eggs 2016Rainbow trout eggs which are delivered to the hatcheries in the 2016 season are coming from the top-ranking families that were first fed in 2013 (marked with grey in the chart). Elite material from this generation is transferred to our egg producers.
Through a production cycle over three years the best individuals are selected as broodstock. In this way the best genetics will be large scale reproduced and benefit all fish farmers.
Since 2015 AquaGen has implemented new modern technology called Marker Assisted Selection. Based on this new technology platform we are able to directly select parents to be used in egg-production that possess a specific genetic marker (QTL) that are highly associated with resistance to the viral disease IPN. This double selection, both on fami-ly- and individual level, ensures a balanced weight to robust and effective traits as well as high IPN resistance in the offspring.
1972-74: 2006:First feeding year for juveniles of brood fish The three year collected from Norwegian and Swedish farmers. classes were Originally from the Pacific cost of North-America. merged into one.
72 75 78 81 84 87 90 93 96 99 02 0573 76 79 82 85 88 91 94 97 00 03
74 77 80 83 86 89 92 95 98 01 04GROWTH
Production/Efficiency TraitsHealth/Robustness TraitsGene marker based breeding method startedThe top-ranking families first fed in 2013 are the base for brood fish stripping in 2016
IPN
Implementation of traits based on traditional- and gene marker selective breeding methods in AquaGen's breeding programme (nucleus) of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss )
SEXUAL MATURATIONSKIN COLOURBODY SHAPE
14 15
4 5 6 11
FILET YIELD SKELETAL DEFORMITIES
11 12 130906 07 08 10
9 10
FILET COLOURTraits
0 1 2 3Generation
Class of Year (first feeding)
14 1512 137 8
21
Biosecurity and Quality ControlFish health surveillance in AquaGen is carried out through the entire life-cycle of the fish. In the final nine months before stripping the monitoring is intensified. This includes comprehensive autopsy and screening of all brood fish populations in the AquaGen system.
Production is monitored by both internal and external fish-health personnel, and by government and private entities. AquaGen is certified according to GLOBAL GAP (food safety, environmental protec-tion, fish welfare, and health, safety and welfare for employees), FREEDOM FOOD (animal welfare), ISO 9001:2008 (quality leadership) and Code-EFABAR (good practice within animal farm breeding and reproduction).
AquaGen’s production plants at Hemne and Tingvoll are located in the EU-approved ISA-free compartments at the highest security level. ISA has never been detected in these compartments. AquaGen’s broodstock popula-tions are routinely screened for IPN virus and the BKD bacterium during the entire production cycle of three years.
Individual testing of parents at stripping can be carried out if ordered in advance.
Relevant health information about brood fish and eggs will be documented in a separate HEALTH CV and included in all egg deliveries.
Delivery TimeIn the egg season of 2016 AquaGen will deliver eggs from the beginning of January to the beginning of July:
In the figure below the differing production timelines are presented for trout through the fresh-water phase and the salt-water phase, based on early, normal, and late eggs. The figure shows how AquaGen by means of managed production of broodstock can contribute to the optimal exploitation of our customer’s production facility capacity.
Should there be a requirement for un- expected additional eggs, due to operating accidents, diseases or lack of capacity in customers own facilities, AquaGen often has the ability to help out with deliveries in such situations.
Delivery Time
week 1-4 (Jan. 4 - Jan. 31)week 5-17 (Feb. 1 - May. 1)week 18-26 (May. 2 - Jul. 3)
Category
• Early eggs • Normal eggs • Late eggs
AquaGen rainbow trout eggs 2016
CategoryDec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May
Early 0-year Early eggs Late 0-year 1-year
CategoryJun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun
Early 0-year Late 0-year 1-year
Production plan for trout in the FRESH-WATER PHASE
SmoltSmolt
Smolt
2nd year
Normal eggsLate eggs
1st year
Harvest
Production plan for trout in the SEA-WATER PHASE3rd year in sea
Smolt Harvest
SmoltSmolt Harvest
1st year in sea 2nd year in sea
22
Product Overview for Rainbow Trout Eggs 2016
AquaGen rainbow trout eggs 2016
Product Description
Eggs
AquaGen® Rainbow Ova
Eggs from broodstock which produces a balance between Robust and Effec-tive traits in the offspring.
AquaGen® Rainbow QTL-innOva® IPN
Eggs from broodstock which produces a balance between Robust and Effec-tive traits, as well as extra high IPN-resistance in the offspring. The males are chosen using the gene marker (QTL) for IPN.
Trea
tmen
t
AquaGen® Rainbow GREEN
STERILE Sterilization of eggs which after pressure treatment on recently fertilized eggs makes the fish sterile. Since this production requires extra planning and greater safety margins than ordinary, the ordering deadline is November 1, 2014.
All female Milt from verified transformed female broodstock instead of normal male broodstock are used. The offspring will be female fish only.
Virus testing Individual testing of female- and male broodstock for IPNV, PDV and/or ISAV at the time of stripping. Broodstock free from virus are used in the egg pro-duction only.
Robust: Health-related traits such as resistance to disease, reduced deformities, reduced early sexual maturity. Effective: Production-related traits such as growth, skin color, filet color, harvest amounts, body shape. QTL: Gene marker (Quantitative Trait Loci). Area on the rainbow trout genome (marker) which is closely connected to a gene which controls a specific characteristic in the individual, in this case IPN resistance.
Early ordering, before October 1, 2015 contributes to better production planning and higher delivery assurance in regard to choice of product type, amount and time of delivery.
23
Product documentation IPN
significant difference in mortality rates between the different genotypes, where the degree of IPN resistance depends on the frequency of Q (Fig. 1 and 2).
In experiment 1 the frequency of the favorable IPN resistant variant Q was relatively low (25%). This has contributed to the building up of a high IPN infection pressure because of the high number of IPN sensitive fish (qq) in the group. In experiment 2 the genotypes were more evenly distributed (48% Q), and had a moderate IPN infection pressure. In both tests the mortality rate was considerably lower in the groups that carried the IPN resistant variant Q, and the difference was especially high when the infection pressure was moderate. These infection experiments document that the QTL for IPN resistance in rainbow trout has a good effect on IPN in laboratory experiments.
Great expectations for protection by QTL-selectionIn the eggs selected for IPN resistance (that only have the genotypes qQ and QQ), the frequency of Q will be 60–80%. This level of frequency will provide a positive population effect (a kind of “herd immunity”) that means there will be a higher threshold for the IPN virus to overcome to establish itself in the group of fish, and the extent of a potential IPN outbreak will be considerably reduced.
IPN resistance for rainbow troutThe viral disease IPN has traditionally been a problem for rainbow trout in the fresh water phase. The disease may cause major losses, both in increased mortality rates, reduced growth and instances of weakened fish that have survived an IPN outbreak. This means a high degree of uncertainty as to how fish will perform compared to annual production budgets.
In 2009 AquaGen performed the first selection for IPN resistance in rainbow trout using traditional family based breeding. In parallel with this work, a number of challenge tests were used to identify and document genetic markers that can be used to select broodstock with IPN resistant genes. It was proved that IPN resistance in rainbow trout is to a large extent controlled by one single QTL, just like in salmon. The first eggs selected for this QTL were delivered to fish farmers in January 2015.
Effect testing of IPN resistanceThe effect of the genetic marker has been documented in two separate challenge tests on rainbow trout fry soon after start feeding. In order to eliminate environmental effects between test groups all fish were challenged in the same tank. At the end of the experiments both living and dead fish were genotyped and grouped as respectively qq (homozygote, IPN sensitive), qQ (heterozy-gote) and QQ (homozygote, IPN strong).The results from both experiments show a
Advantages of Rainbow QTL-innOva® IPN:• IPN protection through the entire life of the fish• Greater predictability in production of
rainbow trout Products with IPN resistance:
• AquaGen® Rainbow QTL-innOva® IPN
Figure 2. Experiment 2, effect testing of IPN resistance in recently start fed rainbow trout fry. In the group, that comprised 1582 fish, the frequency of the favorable IPN resistant variant Q was at a moderate 48%. The IPN in-fection pressure was also moderate with an accumulated mortality rate for the IPN sensitive fish (qq) of 23%.
Figure 1. Experiment 1, effect testing of IPN resistance in recently start fed rainbow trout fry. In the group, that comprised 1719 fish, the frequency of the favorable IPN resistant variant Q was only 25%. The IPN infection pressure was high resulting in an accumulated mortality rate for the IPN sensitive fish (qq) of 83%.
24
AquaGen AS • PO Box 1240 • Sluppen • N-7462 Trondheim • Norway
Tlf. (+47) 72 45 05 00 • Fax (+47) 73 54 62 91
[email protected] • www.aquagen.no/en
AquaGen is a breeding company which develops, produces and delivers genetic
material to the global sea-farming industry.
Through a market-oriented research and development AquaGen has achieved a
leading position as a provider of fertilized eggs of Atlantic salmon and rainbow trout.
