Freshwater: Fresh running water is the salmon’s environment in its first year of life. Normally, the smolts have about 20% of the skin’s mucous layer filled with mucous cells as protection. This fresh water is often quite clean. Nevertheless, the water in the inlet of the hatcheries is treated through various filtration and disinfection processes. However, the large quantities of water in flowthrough systems can often give considerable variations in temperature, oxygen, CO2 and other water parameters.
The fish’s immune system is trained in this environment. Large variation in water quality affects the fish. Tests have shown that there are differences in mucosal robustness between different hatcheries. This has consequences for the fish’s growth and survival when transferring to seawater. The skin’s protective mucous cells are reduced during both transport and release in seawater. Immunity is often weakened in this phase. Transfer to different seawater localities has consequences for the mucous barrier and thus for the mortality and growth of the fish.
The fish’s immune system is trained in this environment. Large variation in water quality affects the fish. Tests have shown that there are differences in mucosal robustness between different hatcheries. This has consequences for the fish’s growth and survival when transferring to seawater. The skin’s protective mucous cells are reduced during both transport and release in seawater. Immunity is often weakened in this phase. Transfer to different seawater localities has consequences for the mucous barrier and thus for the mortality and growth of the fish.
Our technology gives an objective measurement of the robustness of the smolt prior to the sea phase, and is imperative for growth in the sea.
How robust is the smolt you get?
How robust is the smolt you get?