A proprietary feed additive for Australian farmed Atlantic salmon to control problematic gill disease (2026-2027)
Abstract
This project aims to establish the best inclusion rate of a new diet additive to reduced gill disease and improve growth of farmed Atlantic salmon. The research will obtain the relevant data required to formally protect the intellectual property (IP), enabling discussion with feed companies, our target commercial investor. Farmed salmon are the most valuable traded species globally and the 4th most produced finfish based on annual tonnes of live weight harvested. All the major salmon farming regions are increasingly challenged by gill disease, particularly as sea surface temperature rises. There are limited treatment options for gill disease, and of those that exist, they are expensive and labour intensive. In Tasmania, treating gill disease adds $1.50/kg to cost of production, making it a $122 million issue annually. Recent trials lead by UQ, Deakin University and CSIRO showed sustained heat stress depletes a key metabolite that drive growth and immunity in Atlantic salmon. We then de
