Collaboration to protect farmed fish from disease

Moredun Research Institute has announced a new partnership with Fish Vet Group (FVG), with the aim of developing novel vaccines to protect farmed fish from disease.

Recent years have seen the expansion of the aquaculture industry, alongside the emergence of numerous infectious diseases. This has been the cause of significant economic loss and welfare issues.

The partnership aims to join the expertise of Moredun - in developing vaccines against pathogens including viruses, bacteria and parasites affecting the livestock industry - with FVG's background of preventing, diagnosing and treating infectious disease in the aquaculture industry.

Head of vaccines and diagnostics at Moredun, Dr Colin McInnes, said: "We are very excited about the new opportunities offered by this partnership with FVG; to expand our expertise in understanding how different pathogens cause disease in farmed fish, and how we can work together to develop novel vaccine approaches to prevent disease.

"Moredun’s strategy has always been that disease prevention is better than cure and vaccines offer a more sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to disease control, as they reduce reliance on pharmacological drugs and pesticides."

A research group is to be established within Moredun Research Institute in Edinburgh. Initially for a five year period, scientists will work on strategies to tackle a number of pathogens responsible for significant economic losses in aquaculture fish stocks.