AGD is playing havoc with the salmon in Scotland. This is considered a major disease of salmon when I was working as a veterinary fish pathologist in Tasmania and I believe it still is.
I read this article about the Scottish farm experience with interest.
http://www.thefishsite.com/fishnews/16527/agd-hard-to-control-says-marine-harvest
One of the major flaws in net pen aquaculture is that they are sited in the same location year in, year out. And as such, you would expect that pathogens would build up over time.
If we take a leaf out of traditional land farming of sheep for instance, the paddocks are cycled and allowed to crop or fallow. In this way, parasitic diseases such as intestinal worms can be managed more effectively.
I believe the future of net pen aquaculture would rely on having multiple leases where the sites are allowed to fallow or have alternative “crops” cultured.
Dr Richmond Loh
BSc BVMS MPhil MANZCVS (Aq & Pathol)
The Fish Vet, Perth, Western Australia.
Veterinary Medicine for fish.
http://www.thefishvet.com.au
Ph: +61 (0)421 822 383
