New case study: revolutionising fish health monitoring in aquaculture

Development of a biomarker database, and impact on fish husbandry practices, leading to the creation of a university spint-out

Fish health is critical to the sustainability of aquaculture, yet traditional diagnostic methods often involve lethal sampling. This project developed and validated a non-lethal, high-throughput diagnostic approach, enabling rapid and holistic health assessments for farmed salmon and trout.

Valued at over £340k, the partners were Kames Fish Farming Ltd. and the University of the West of Scotland. Other participants included Mowi Scotland, Randox Food Diagnostics, and Europharma.

The project aimed to repurpose medical diagnostic technology for aquaculture. Using advanced clinical chemistry analysers, researchers established baseline levels for 22 key biomarkers linked to liver, kidney, muscle, gill function, and osmoregulation - essential for detecting early signs of health issues.

Over 11 months, thousands of samples were analysed, creating the first comprehensive biomarker database for Atlantic salmon and Rainbow trout. This resource allows farmers to compare current fish health against normal ranges, enabling early intervention before serious damage occurs. The project also examined the impact of common sea lice treatments, revealing temporary stress and tissue damage post-treatment and prompting changes in husbandry practices, such as longer recovery periods between treatments. These adjustments improve fish welfare and reduce economic losses.

The project's success led to the creation of Wellfish Tech a spin-out company offering advanced fish health diagnostics to the aquaculture industry. Further research grants have expanded the work into immunology and haematology.

Key outcomes:

• First biomarker database for salmon and trout, enabling proactive health management.
• Evidence-based improvements to treatment protocols, enhancing welfare and productivity.
• Commercialisation through Wellfish Tech, driving innovation in global aquaculture.

This project is a major step forward in sustainable fish farming, combining science and technology to improve animal welfare, reduce waste, and boost efficiency. By enabling early detection and informed decision-making, it sets a new standard for health monitoring in aquaculture.

The full title of this project is ‘Transforming fish health management in aquaculture: a high-throughput, non-lethal diagnostic approach’.

Read the case study