Mucosa: The living interactive interface between fish and the environment.
All aquatic organisms have mucous membranes. This applies to all fish, shrimp, shellfish, shells - and all stages of evolution from eggs, larvae, fry to adult fish ready for harvest. The mucus barrier is most easily observed in the skin, but perhaps more vital for well-being and growth in water is the mucus on the gills and the intestinal system. The mucosa is a central part of the fish's innate immune system.
The mucous membranes on outer surfaces are the fish's primary protection against disease and a demanding environment. The mucus protects in three ways:
Only 0.07mm thick
The mucosa is ultra-thin, robust, sensitive, vibrant, self-renewable - and measurable.
A strong and robust barrier layer protects the fish against the natural enemies in the fish's normal environment. The mucus barrier is less than 0.07mm thick; less than a human hair. These are the normal defenses of the fish; a protective covering against the surroundings. The fish's natural, robust mucus barrier leads to a continuous battle against the components of seawater and freshwater. The mucus barrier is therefore a fresh product that continuously renews and changes itself.
In the mucosa, there is a layer of mucous cells - mucus cells that fight attacks, innovate, are active - and that must be monitored to ensure value. A robust fish can better withstand the handling it is exposed to in a fish farming industry
Active, dynamic, self-renewal
The mucus barrier is active, dynamic, self-renewal - in constant interaction with the surroundings. It protects and it rejects. The mucosa can be depleted or over-stimulated so that illness can occur. When illness has erupted, it may be because the mucus layer is already weakened.
The earliest notice of impairment may come from the "security guard"; gills mucus cells.
The robust fish - and the robust profitability
A robust fish is well protected from external influences, against diseases. It thrives, nourishes and grows steadily. This is well documented in a number of experiments. The hardy and robust fish have well-functioning mucus barriers that quickly return to normal after impact. Such fish can withstand physical handling well and need fewer treatments in farming and have consistently higher survival.
We can define the condition of the fish's mucus barrier precisely. Barrier status can be a key factor in defining and further developing the value of the biomass. Good value management should be based on verifiable data - not assumptions and estimates.
The mucous membranes on outer surfaces are the fish's primary protection against disease and a demanding environment. The mucus protects in three ways:
- A physical barrier - even just a few hundredths of a millimetre is sufficient to protect.
- A magazine for dozens of antimicrobial components that kill viruses, bacteria and fungi.
- A natural substrate for the good microflora that the fish need to survive
Only 0.07mm thick
The mucosa is ultra-thin, robust, sensitive, vibrant, self-renewable - and measurable.
A strong and robust barrier layer protects the fish against the natural enemies in the fish's normal environment. The mucus barrier is less than 0.07mm thick; less than a human hair. These are the normal defenses of the fish; a protective covering against the surroundings. The fish's natural, robust mucus barrier leads to a continuous battle against the components of seawater and freshwater. The mucus barrier is therefore a fresh product that continuously renews and changes itself.
In the mucosa, there is a layer of mucous cells - mucus cells that fight attacks, innovate, are active - and that must be monitored to ensure value. A robust fish can better withstand the handling it is exposed to in a fish farming industry
Active, dynamic, self-renewal
The mucus barrier is active, dynamic, self-renewal - in constant interaction with the surroundings. It protects and it rejects. The mucosa can be depleted or over-stimulated so that illness can occur. When illness has erupted, it may be because the mucus layer is already weakened.
The earliest notice of impairment may come from the "security guard"; gills mucus cells.
The robust fish - and the robust profitability
A robust fish is well protected from external influences, against diseases. It thrives, nourishes and grows steadily. This is well documented in a number of experiments. The hardy and robust fish have well-functioning mucus barriers that quickly return to normal after impact. Such fish can withstand physical handling well and need fewer treatments in farming and have consistently higher survival.
We can define the condition of the fish's mucus barrier precisely. Barrier status can be a key factor in defining and further developing the value of the biomass. Good value management should be based on verifiable data - not assumptions and estimates.
