Surveillance for Tenacibaculum sp. the cause of mouth rot in Atlantic salmon raised by MOWI West Canada

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MOWI West Canada sustainably raises Atlantic salmon in British Columbia. An important productiondisease affecting smolts in netpens is mouthrot caused by Tenacibaculum sp. Losses occur due to mortality butas importantly due to reduced growth. Treatment of affected fish is expensive and often has to be repeatedincurring significant costs. The bacteria associated with this disease can also be resistant to the availableantimicrobial agents. Management strategies other than antimicrobial therapy are therefore of critical need.This proposal will use quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays developed under a NSERCEngage proposal for quantification of the responsible bacteria. Understanding where the organism is harbouredin the fish, environment and water and knowing when high bacterial loads are present before, during and afteran outbreak are key pieces of information needed to better manage outbreaks. The assays can also be used toevaluate the efficacy of antimicrobial treatments and understand why they are often not successful. Theseassays will allow improvements to proactive management of mouthrot at MHC netpen sites and should allowoptions other than antimicrobial therapy or that reduce the need for antimicrobial use.