Introduction

Amoebic Gill Disease (AGD) has been a problem in Tasmanian aquaculture for years. The disease is caused by the amoeba Paramoeba perurans, which thrives very well in high salinity sea water at increasing temperatures. During the last years outbreaks have been reported in Ireland and Scotland, and also along the Norwegian coastline.

Challenge model

To face this problem, VESO Aqualab established a challenge model for AGD. Through close collaboration with the Norwegian Veterinary Institute, we are able to cultivate the amoeba and have successfully infected salmon smolts in experimental trials. We have studied the dynamics of the challenge model at different temperatures and salinities, as well as during fresh water treatment. Large scale AGD trials with a maximum of ~4000 smolts in one tank can be conducted.

Paramoeba perurans (Terje Steinum, NVI).

Atlantic salmon gills

Paramoeba perurans (Terje Steinum, NVI) and Atlantic salmon gills three weeks after bath challenge with Paramoeba perurans.