Nexus. Protec Special Edition. Skretting NEW. no.16 - Spring

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1 Nexus Skretting no.16 - Spring Protec Special Edition NEW

2 Contents Protec Experiences 20 years of proactive fish health Protec s Australasian Success 6 4 Editorial James Rose Managing Director, Skretting Australia New Protec AquaNor 12 8 Skretting chose the recent AquaNor 2013 exhibition for the global launch of the comprehensive upgrade of Protec, our functional feed for farmed fish. Protec is Skretting s industry leading proactive health diet and is widely used around the world for salmonids and other species. Protec effectively supports the ability of fish to cope with stressful situations with resultant benefits to welfare, productivity, and sustainability. Snippets Cover image: Images from the latest Skretting Protec brochure Contact Information: 26 Maxwells Road Cambridge Tasmania Australia 7170 PO Box 117 Rosny Park Tasmania Australia 7018 Telephone: Over the previous two years, Skretting Australia has embarked on the exciting journey of documenting the positive effects of Protec locally. Benefits have been reported for Atlantic salmon, Chinook salmon, trout and barramundi. The upgraded Protec builds on these benefits and delivers additional anti-viral capacity. More than 25 years of research led by the Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre has culminated in the development of this product. The documentation of the benefits of the New Protec is compelling and provides an initial basis for local applications. The New Protec is The fine art of protection, which encapsulates the most valuable elements of the feed. The fine art relates to Protec s ability to fine-tune the fish s bodily defences to better resist challenges in the environment. When viewed up close, we couldn t ignore that the different components of the fish s defences and its enemies look like tiny works of art. This has inspired the new visual profile of Protec which aims to draw your attention to all the elements we have built into this exciting product. Enjoy this special edition of Nexus! Nexus is published by Skretting and is distributed free to all our customers involved in the Australian and New Zealand Fish Farming Industry. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior written permission of the publishers. This publication is not intended to remove the need to take advice when dealing with specific situations and readers should contact the editor before taking any action in reliance on the articles in Nexus. 2 Skretting Nexus Spring 2013

3 The fine art of protection NEW Protec is Skretting s prime functional feed for farmed fish. New Protec helps to shield skin, gut and gills; it supports the immune system, provides building blocks for new cells and optimises the balance between fish, microbes and environment. Shield Together, the outer surfaces of the fish; the skin, gut and gills, make an effective shield from environmental impacts. New Protec helps strengthen these essential barriers. Support The fish s defence system is dependent on a strong immune response. New Protec strongly supports and stimulates immune functions while limiting oxidative stress and through this contributes to reducing inflammation. New Protec also supplies building blocks for new cells. Balance Fish live in a potentially threatening environment and are vulnerable to critical changes in the surroundings. New Protec contributes positively to maintain the complex balance between fish, hostile microbes and environment. Skretting Nexus Spring

4 Protec Experiences 20 years of proactive fish health Dr Rhys Hauler, Marketing Manager, Skretting Australia PROTEC IMPROVES THE IMMUNE DEFENCES OF FARMED FISH AROUND THE WORLD The Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre (ARC) in Stavanger, Norway, first introduced the active ingredients in its Response anti-stress feed in Response was later upgraded to Skretting s Protec feeds. Most aquaculture systems are open to the natural environment, making it difficult to protect fish from parasites, bacteria, viruses and environmental fluctuations. However, by using functional diets that strengthen the immune system of fish, farmers can help their stocks cope with disease, environmental shocks and recover faster. As this ultimately improves farm production volumes and ensures an efficient use of feed resources, these diets are becoming ever more integral to farmers fish health strategies. TACKLING VIRAL THREATS IN NORWAY In 2010, Skretting ARC conducted a controlled viral infection study with pancreas disease (PD) in Atlantic salmon. It was confirmed that Protec helped reduce the mortality levels in salmon by 70%. Furthermore, combined with a PD vaccination, mortality was reduced by 85% (Figure 1). Launched in Norway in 2007, Skretting s industry leading proactive health diet, Protec, contains functional ingredients that act in synergy to enhance the ability of fish to cope with stressful situations. Protec supports the immune system, including the stimulation of macrophage activity, helping the fish to resist bacterial infections more effectively as well as enabling them to respond faster to vaccination. The feed contains Skretting s unique blend of organic acids and plant extracts to stimulate gut health and optimise the gut microbiota. Several key processes, such as regeneration of enterocytes and mucus production in the gut are reinforced, which supports a proper structure and function of the intestine. Moreover, anti-oxidants work on an intra-cellular level, mopping-up the free radicals generated by an immune system fighting a reaction. Cumulative mortality (%) Skretting Nexus Spring Further evidence of the benefits of the use of Protec in combating PD risks appeared in the 2012 Fish Health Report in Norway (see Norwegian Veterinary Institute which found there was a similar number of outbreaks of the disease in 2011 as in 2010, but customers using Protec reported lower mortality and less impaired growth VACCINATION Figure 1. Cumulative mortality of Atlantic salmon fed either Protec or a control diet and challenged with Pancreas disease (PD). VACCINATION 15 VACCINATION GRADING Days post challenge Protec is recommended to improve vaccination efficiency, in case of risk of viral attack, bacterial challenge or parasite outbreak and, in general, whenever it is likely that a stressful situation is approaching. In preparation for stocking, moving, grading, environmental stress, Protec helps the fish to build up efficient counteracting metabolic mechanisms which will allow enhanced resistance. weight (g) vaccinated unvaccinated Protec vaccinated Protec unvaccinated

5 Global Product Update Image this page: Scanning electron micrograph of bacteria from intestinal microbiota It has also been documented that the number of fish infected with the virus is more than 30% lower when the fish have been fed Protec, and that the infected fish have lower virus levels. This has a positive impact on mortality and recovery. Protec has also been used to help prevent the closelyrelated heart and skeletal muscle inflammation (HSMI) condition in the spring months after researchers found that feeding Protec reduces the degree of inflammation in the heart and skeletal muscle. From the outset, Skretting Chile strongly recommended farmers use the diet as part of a broader sanitary strategy, created specifically for conditions and challenges at the sea sites (Figure 2). The producers started to progressively use the diet at the end of the last decade, adopting the preventive concept as an alternative way to produce fish. The functional diet is recommended to be given continuously for four to six weeks to fish facing critical periods of stress, such as vaccinations, grading, transport and extreme environmental conditions, says Barlow. REDUCING THE IMPACT OF PATHOGENS IN CHILE Barlow adds that While there are many variables Skretting Chile has accrued 20 years of that affect fish health, such as water quality, experience using functional diets. Protec site management, the local climate and was first launched in 2007, based In a environment as well as the interaction with on solid scientific background other animals, analysis shows there is a controlled viral generated by Skretting ARC. The strong correlation between the use of infection study with research focused specifically on Protec and reduced mortality rates. the fish health challenges of local pancreas disease (PD) in Using public data supplied in an official aquaculture, says Dr Ronald Atlantic salmon, conducted report of Caligidosis (Sea Lice) Situation Barlow, Technical Manager, by the Skretting ARC in in High Surveillance Sites (see www. Skretting Chile. sernapesca.cl), another clear association 2010, it was confirmed Several controlled trials was found between the use of Protec were performed to measure Protec helped reduce and a reduction in the number of parasites the efficacy of Protec on the detected among adults and juveniles in the mortality levels in pathogens and illnesses that were stocks of both Atlantic salmon and trout. salmon by 70% damaging local aquaculture. The trials Protec has been a major success story in the were run by independent laboratory Chilean market. Over the past six years, Protec ADL Diagnostic against the ISA virus, the has been used with Atlantic salmon, Pacific salmon and fungus Saprolegnia spp. and against four bacteria trout in many different farming regions and it has helped - Vibrio ordalii, Aeromonas salmonicida, Flavobacterium farmers limit the impacts on their production systems. psychrophilum and Piscirickettsia salmonis. The results proved the efficacy of the diet on the fish, reducing the number of pathogens, says Barlow. Protection of the primary fish barriers (skin and mucus) was another positive effect related to defence mechanisms and immune and non-immune specific responses ENVIRONMENTAL INSULTS Figure 2. Recommendations for Protec use in Chilean Atlantic salmon production: Use 4-6 weeks prior to periods of increased risk of disease outbreaks, stress such as grading, vaccination and environmental insults which increase mortality rates Skretting Nexus Spring

6 Protec s Australasian Success Global product has outstanding local success Dr Matthew Bransden Technical Account Manager, Skretting Australia Skretting s global health product, Protec, was first launched by Skretting Australia more than five years ago. Today it is used in both Australia and New Zealand where it is fed to Atlantic salmon, Chinook salmon, ocean trout, barramundi and other species for a wide range of conditions. Skretting Australia s Product Manager, Nicole Ruff, explains that the overseas experience with this health diet has been astoundingly positive; In Europe, Protec is the leading health diet with sales increasing yearly. The success of Protec has come through rigorous documentation, such as its proven benefits of assisting salmon to recover more promptly from certain diseases; to it offsetting the negative effects of winter syndrome in marine fish in the Mediterranean; and in improving growth and disease resistance in juvenile marine fish during transfer. On the back of these experiences from the Northern Hemisphere, we set out to document similar advantages in using Protec to mitigate certain health challenges in our own local market. TARGETING SALMONID HEALTH In the first half of 2012, a laboratory trial was conducted at the University of Tasmania s (UTAS) Aquaculture facility. Experimental diets based on the principles of Protec were tested to determine if they could mitigate mortality caused by Neoparamoeba perurans, the causative agent of Amoebic Gill Disease (AGD). Fish were fed either a control or one of two experimental diets for four weeks, then challenged with N. perurans in a standard challenge model. At the conclusion of the trial, salmon fed the experimental diets achieved a significantly improved survival rate compared to those fed the control diet. In fact, the relative survival was 27% higher using the experimental diets (Figure 1). This was the first study anywhere in the world to demonstrate diet manipulation can actively play a role in reducing mortality caused by AGD. % % Survival Following the success of the UTAS trial, under commercial conditions in south east Tasmania, salmon were fed either Protec or a control diet for 5 weeks. At that time, gill scores revealed that fish of all groups were at a stage where they were relatively unaffected by amoeba (most fish had gill scores of 0 and 1), however the blood of salmon fed Protec was more saturated with oxygen and had a higher buffering capacity (higher concentration of (HCO3) than the control group (Figure 2) Test 1 Test 2 mortality = 67.1% Days 9 11 post-challenge Figure 1. Survival of Atlantic salmon fed a control or experimental diets and challenged with Neoparamoeba purans, the causative agent of amoebic gill disease (AGD). Different letters denote a significant difference among diets (p<0.01). * Relative percentage survival (RPS) is calculated by the formula RPS = (1-(%mortality/%control mortality)) x 100, (Amend, 1981) Oxygen saturation Oxygen Saturation mmol/l HCO3 Figure 2. Oxygen saturation and blood buffering capacity (HCO3) in fish fed Protec and a control diet b RPS = 27.1% b RPS = 26.8% a Recommendations for Protec use in Tasmanian Atlantic salmon production: Use 4-6 weeks prior to periods of increased risk of disease outbreaks, stress such as grading, vaccination and environmental insults which increase mortality rates GRADING VACCINATION GRADING weight (g) Skretting Nexus Spring 2013 ENVIRONMENTAL INSULTS GROWOUT

7 Local Update This demonstrated that salmon fed Protec would have greater potential to deal with respiratory insult as a consequence of AGD infection. In a Tasmanian commercial Atlantic salmon hatchery, the benefits of feeding Protec were also quantified. Following a controlled exhaustive swimming event simulating typical hatchery activities, such as crowding and moving fish, or pumping them to vaccination tables, secondary stress parameters were measured in blood of the presmolt fed either a control diet or Protec. Blood lactate and glucose concentrations were significantly reduced by 13 and 10%, respectively, in fish fed the Protec diet compared to the controls (Figures 3 and 4). From a practical point of view, what this demonstrates to us is that we can use Protec to help fish cope and recover from known stressful events, such as handling, grading and vaccination indicates Nicole. Lactate (mmol /L) Figure 3. Blood lactate levels of fish fed prior to and 1 hour post stress. Fish were fed either Protec or a control diet. Different letters denote a significant difference among diets (p<0.01) Glucose (mmol/l) Baseline Baseline Sample Point Sample Point Protec contains a range of functional ingredients, and includes bolstered concentrations of vitamins critical to fish health. In a trial with Chinook salmon in New Zealand, those fish fed Protec were found to contain approximately 2.5 times the concentration of vitamin E in the liver compared to their counterparts fed a control diet. The result proves that fortification of these nutrients in the diet in turn leads to an enhanced antioxidative capacity in the fish, setting them up to better cope with future stressful events. a 13% 11hour post stress Figure 4. Glucose levels of fish fed prior to and 1 hour post stress. Fish were fed either Protec or a control diet. Different letters denote a significant difference among diets (p<0.01) a b 10% b 1 hour post stress BENEFITS TO BARRAMUNDI Protec has also been trialled with Australian barramundi. During the winter months this species commonly experiences reduced appetite leading to a loss of growth and condition, and vulnerability to diseases or a reduced ability to handle challenging environmental events. A winter trial was undertaken on a commercial barramundi farm in Queensland. After approximately 4 months, barramundi fed a Protec diet performed better compared to those fed a control diet, with both the specific growth rate (SGR) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved by 6%. Additionally, an assessment of liver vitamin E revealed that barramundi fed Protec had almost double the concentration of vitamin E compared with the control group. As a powerful antioxidant, these elevated concentrations would help during the stressful period of cool water temperatures and a reduced feed intake, but would also place these fish in good stead as they recover during spring. These same fish were also assessed for their ability to cope with a stressful event. A controlled handling procedure was established to mimic normal farm operational conditions. Similar to the responses shown in Atlantic salmon, what we found was that barramundi fed Protec had reduced secondary stress parameters compared to fish fed the control diet states Nicole (Figure 5). Once again, Protec s ability to improve stress resistance in fish subject to routine farm practices was strikingly quantified. % Glucose increase 33% % Lactate increase Series1 Series1 Figure 5. Relative % increase (compared to basal concentrations pre-stress) in glucose and lactate in barramundi fed a control diet or Protec following a stress event This observation of reduced stress response has been highlighted by Robarra ( a commercial barramundi farm located in South Australia. Arthur Poligerinos, Chief Executive Officer, explains, Improved husbandry practices as well the use of Protec has substantially improved our post-transfer survival. The near 4 hour trip from our hatchery to our growout farm had historically resulted in high mortality, but that has now been reduced by 30%. It is clear to us that the use of Protec has contributed to at least half of this improvement and made a significantly positive impact on our operation! For further information on Protec please contact Nicole Ruff (Nicole.Ruff@skretting.com). 24% Recommendations for Protec use in barramundi and yellowtail kingfish production: Use 4-6 weeks prior to periods of increased risk of disease outbreaks, stress such as grading, vaccination and environmental insults which increase mortality rates TRANSFER/ VACCINATION weight (g) WINTER WINTER GROWOUT Skretting Nexus Spring

8 New Protec New Pro contains functional ing that have a dire viruses at the sa the diet streng fish s immune help it better c challeng the fine art of protection Dr Nicole Ruff Product Manager, Skretting Australia Skretting Australia will launch the comprehensive upgrade of its Protec functional feed for farmed fish on the 1st of November. New Protec helps to shield skin, gut and gills; it supports the immune system; provides the building blocks for new cells; and optimises the balance between fish, pathogens and environment. PROTEC: THE EVOLUTION First generation Protec is Skretting s industry leading proactive health diet and is widely used around the world for salmonids and other species. Protec diets contain a wide range of functional ingredients that work in synergy to enhance the fish s ability to cope with stressful situations such as disease, handling, transport and vaccinations. Combined, these active ingredients provide a holistic protection of the fish. Charles McGurk, Manager of Fish Health, Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre (ARC) explains that the first generation of Protec had a good effect with regards to viruses through enhancing the immune system. The first generation of Protec already had a beneficial effect on viruses through improved immune defence, this is particularly shown in helping control pancreatic disease (PD), but we also saw positive effects on treating other viral diseases, such as infectious salmon anaemia (ISA). However, New Protec contains new functional ingredients that have a direct effect on viruses at the same time as the diet strengthens the fish s immune system to help it cope better with challenges. The New Protec also strengthens the skin s natural defences and enhances its healing capacity. Disease and environmental stress may impair growth and increase mortality. Therefore, prevention is important and Skretting has invested heavily in developing proactive nutritional solutions that can help reduce losses by improving the ability of the fish to tackle stress and disease. Functional ingredients have important modes of action in addition to the role they play in general nutrition. A key research area at Skretting ARC has been identifying complementing functional ingredients to create functional feeds, which have a documented preventive effect and enable the fish to recover after various health problems and stress. Understanding pathologies and how to use nutrition to enhance the natural immune system of the fish, has been the key in the development of New Protec, Charles says. 8 Skretting Nexus Spring 2013

9 New Product Launch otec new gredients ct effect on ame time as gthens the system to cope with ges THE FINE ART OF PROTECTION: SHIELD, SUPPORT, BALANCE This page top to bottom: Scanning electron micrograph of fish skin surface; scanning electron micrograph of fish gills; Stylised scanning electron micrograph of an enveloped virus. Opposite page: Amoeba with extended pseudopods. New Protec is based on three basic elements: Shield, Support and Balance. SHIELD Together, the outer surfaces of the fish, i.e. the skin, gills and gut, provide a shield from environmental impacts and New Protec helps strengthen these vital barriers. The gills comprise a large surface area of delicate cells which are involved in respiration, osmoregulation and excretory processes. Protec has been shown to support immunity of the gills alongside aiding mucous cell recovery after damage. The skin of fish is different from mammals and birds as the outer layer of cells (epidermis) is composed of living cells, whereas it is a dead keratinised layer in warm-blooded animals. Integrity of the skin membrane is essential to exclude microorganisms and for maintaining osmotic balance. New Protec has been shown to support the healing processes of the skin after wounding (see also Support below). The gut is an additional barrier surface as fish don t just swallow feed, but also the water they live in. Even though the gut is located internally, it can be considered an external barrier, explains Charles. It can be damaged by pathogenic, chemical, traumatic or environmental stress, but New Protec improves the structure of the gut and its resistance to pathogens. continued next page Skretting Nexus Spring

10 This page: Tissue macrophage with short filopodia from previous page SUPPORT A fish s defence system is dependent on a strong immune response. Fish have complex immune systems comprising nonspecific (first line of defence) and specific (second line of defence) mechanisms. In fish, it is recognised that there is heavy reliance on the first line of defence as the fish are potentially exposed to large numbers of pathogens in the water; if fish relied only on their second line of defence, they would be overwhelmed by infection. It has been shown that New Protec delivers invaluable support to immune functions (both lines of defence) while limiting oxidative stress, which in turn contributes to reduced cell inflammation. It also supports the regeneration ability of cells, which is essential for optimising fish health. A good example of particular chemicals which are crucial components of the immune system are chemokines. Chemokines are released by some white blood cells and play a role in coordinating immune responses. Recent trials at the Skretting ARC have shown that New Protec stimulates increased expression of chemokines around lesions of wounded Atlantic salmon, Charles says. (Figure 1) Relative % chemokine expression 6 hours post wound healing New Protec Figure 1. Trials show more than eight times more immune activity (chemokines) in connection with lesion healing when using New Protec compared with the control group. BALANCE Fish live in a hostile environment. There are potential pathogens present in every drop of water in which they live. Fortunately, the defences of fish are highly refined. Nearly all pathogens are avoided by the mucus barrier or by the first line of immune defence. Only a few make it to the second line of immune defence and require specific targeting. Classically, there is considered to be a balance between the fish (host), the hostile microbe (pathogen) and the water (environment). Even with the fish s excellent defences, if there is a loss of balance between the three factors, then there can be disease outbreaks. Bacteria and viruses are the main threats to fish health. New Protec supports immunological and structural mechanisms to tip the balance in the favour of the fish in their battle with these and other pathogens. It is also important to consider the essential role of healthy microbes which can t be ignored as a component of the environment. As Charles explains, Bacteria are always present in both the fish and their environment. Some bacteria can lead to disease, but others are crucial to fish welfare and New Protec helps to maintain the complex Balance between the different populations of bacteria. Skretting ARC has dedicated many resources in researching the best diets to support fish health. They have collaborated with leading universities and scientific groups world-wide. In addition, the Skretting ARC developed state-ofthe-art technologies to increase the resolution of assessing the benefits of diets on fish health. There are thorough experimental trials and studies showing the benefits of New Protec. The enhanced anti-viral capacity of New Protec is demonstrated in Figure 2, which shows how New Protec helps reduce mortality in seabass challenged with viral nervous necrosis, a disease devastating to farms in the Mediterranean. Also, during a natural outbreak of cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS) in Atlantic salmon in Norway (Figure 3), New Protec helped reduce muscle damage in the fish. Moreover, refined in vitro work shows New Protec inhibiting the replication of several viruses relevant to aquaculture (Figure 4). 10 Skretting Nexus Spring 2013

11 New Product Launch Cumulative mortality (%) Days post challenge Figure 2. New Protec shows much lower percentage of mortality during viral infection and is documented here with the percentage accumulated mortality during viral nervous necrosis (VNN) infection of sea bass. Plasma creatine kinase (U/L) New Protec Protec % 32% Protec New Protec New Protec delivers invaluable support to immune functions while limiting oxidative stress, which in turn contributes to reduced cell inflammation Skretting Australia s New Protec Brochure, coming soon Figure 3. During a natural outbreak of cardiomyopathy syndrome (CMS), a 32% lower level of creatine kinase (indicating muscle damage in the fish) was registered in Atlantic salmon fed New Protec. Relative % virus replication (in vitro) viruses alone NodaV + Series1 IPNV + New Protec New Protec SAV3 + New Protec Figure 4. New Protec significantly inhibits virus replication in vitro. Nodavirus (Viral nervous necrosis, VNN in sea bass), IPN Virus (Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis in salmon), SAV3 (Pancreas disease, PD in salmon). Skretting Nexus Spring

12 AquaNor Skretting Australia hosts salmon farmers in Norway Snippets Dr Jenna Bowyer Sustainability and Communications Officer, Skretting Australia During August, staff from Tassal, Petuna, Van Diemen Aquaculture and Snowy Mountain Trout Farm joined Matthew Bransden on a technical tour of Norwegian finfish farming operations, as well as attending the biennial AquaNor Conference. The week-long visit began in Stavanger where the group was updated on Skretting Norway s current activities by Commercial Manager Charlie Grenfelt, followed by presentations from senior scientists in the areas of production, health and nutrition, at the Skretting Aquaculture Research Centre (ARC) The day was concluded with a tour of Skretting ARC s Lerang research facilities. This was a fantastic opportunity to showcase Skretting s premier position as a global leader in product innovation, and to demonstrate the wide network that we can draw resources from. Day two saw the group hit the water, with a tour of the Centre for Aquaculture Competence ( cacsalmon.com). The CAC - a joint venture between Skretting, Marine Harvest and Akva Group - is a commercial scale farm conducting collaborative R&D. The three organisations work together to effectively test tomorrows feed and technology. Following the CAC visit, we toured Marine Harvest s processing facility at Ryfisk, as well as their halibut farm ( sterlingwhitehalibut.com). The remainder of the week was spent at AquaNor in its homeland of Trondheim. This event attracts up to 30,000 visitors, and includes a tradeshow with the latest technology for the aquaculture and fishing industries, as well as technical presentations. This year s AquaNor was also the global launch pad for Skretting s New Protec diet. Skretting had a very strong presence at AquaNor with representatives from most OpCo s present, and there was much buzz over coffee around the global launches of Optiline Premium which is breaking new grounds in salmon farming. This event is a good example of how we at Skretting Australia can provide international contacts and support for our customers. Our guests from Petuna and VDA join staff from Marine Harvest and Leo Nankervis of Skretting ARC to tour the CAC facility Skretting website upgrade Reminder In September, the existing design of all the Skretting websites underwent a facelift. The new design is cleaner with bigger pictures, less banners and bigger text. You can visit our website to find information on current news, our entire product range and feeding recommendations for all your species, safety and quality 12 Skretting Nexus Spring 2013 systems (Nutrace), research and development center (ARC), and our sustainability SEA program. All our reports, brochures and issues of our customer magazine are also freely available to view. There is also a link on the website so that you can easily navigate to all the other Skretting operating companies websites. We welcome you to visit www. skretting.com.au and view the changes. Any comments or feedback on the content are appreciated or if there is information that you would like to see on our website then please send an to jenna.bowyer@skretting.com June