Breed for resistance traits

Overall effectiveness category Awaiting assessment
Number of studies: 1
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Background information and definitions

Atlantic salmon cultured in commercial farms are at risk of contracting and transferring infectious bacterial diseases and other pathogens. Selective breeding aims to increase resistance against infectious diseases which may spread within the salmon farm, from wild salmon to cultured salmon and vice versa.

Study locations

Key messages

A replicated, controlled study in Norway found increased survival levels in salmon exposed to infectious pancreatic necrosis when the family was bred for high resistance to the disease compared to a family bred for low resistance to the disease.

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

In 2005, a study comprised of two replicated, controlled trials was conducted in Norway (Storset et al., 2007). Both trials determined that families of salmon, Salmo salar, bred with high resistance to infectious pancreatic necrosis, showed higher survivorship compared to salmon bred with lower resistance. Mortality levels in fry were 29.3% and 66.6%, respectively. The unexposed controls were 1.0% and 3.2%, respectively. The same result pattern was observed in smolt (32.0% and 79.0% mortality levels, respectively). Salmon used in the experiment were offspring from the 2001 and 2004-2005 breeding seasons. Families were selected either for high or low resistance to infectious pancreatic necrosis. The first experiment used fry in fresh water. Groups of high resistance and low resistance fish were exposed through bathing. One group of each remained unexposed as the control. Mortality levels were observed between 30-50 days after infection.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Storset A., Strand C., Wetten M., Kjøglum S. & Ramstad A. (2007) Response to selection for resistance against infectious pancreatic necrosis in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). Aquaculture, 272, 562-568.

Please cite as:

Jones, A.C., Mead, A., Austen, M.C.V. & Kaiser, M.J. (2013) Aquaculture: Evidence for the effects of interventions to enhance the sustainability of aquaculture using Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) as a case study. Bangor University

Where has this evidence come from?

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This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Sustainable Aquaculture

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