Marine Developmental Biology

Dokumentasjon av velferds-og kvalitetseffekter på oppdrettslaks ved trenging, lasting og transport direkte fra dypet. Grant No 901974 (PI w/ AquaKompetanse, Sintef, NUI, & Utror) 2024-26

Ny brønnbåtkunnskap II -biologiske risikofaktorer ved bruk av brønnbåt til transport og behandling av laks. Grant No 901966 (PI with NIVA, NUI, Patogen, AquaKompetanse, SeaFarm systems, iLAB & industry partners)  2024-26

Constructing an ocean/fishery city based on regional carbon neutral aquaculture for salmon and seaweed in Hakodate, Hokkaido 2022-27

Tasty appetizing accountable marine solubles Grant No 329104 (Partner and main PhD supervisor with Biomar, Nofima) 2021-25

Effects of antifouling copper coating in aquaculture – implications for fish health, performance and sustainability of production. Grant No 325849 (PL. with NTNU, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences) 2021-25

Research Council of Norway, Innovation Project for the Industrial Sector (project nr. 346461). 2024-2027

Vestland Regional Research Fund (project nr. 349491) and skatteFUNN. 2023-2026

Duration: May 2024 - ONGOING – 6 years duration

Aim: Developing optimal production protocols for intensive production of rainbow trout to ensure robustness, welfare, growth and minimal risk of sexual maturation in the fresh- and the seawater phases

Funding source: R&D Concession by Fiskeridirektoratet

My involvement: This is 6-year research concession granted by Fiskeridirektoratet in partnership with Eide Fjordbruk AS. The project aims to investigate best protocols for intensive production of rainbow trout to ensure robustness, welfare, growth and minimal risk of sexual maturation in the fresh- and the seawater phases. A total of 9 activities are projected, 6 in large-scale at a commercial site located in Vestland, and 3 at small-scale at the experimental facilities of UiB. Two of the large-scale activities and one small-scale activity are currently ongoing. I am the principal scientist in this project. Several peer-reviewed papers are expected as an outcome.

Duration: October 2022 – October 2025

Aim: Finding out best salmon production protocols in land-based Hybrid Flow-through Systems.

Funding source: Bue Salmon AS and Innovasjon Norge

My involvement: Industry project funded by Bue Salmon AS through Innovasjon Norge. The project assessed best production protocols of both post-smolts and

market-size Atlantic salmon in a novel land-based Hybrid Flow-through System located in Bulandet, Norway. I was the principal scientist in this project. For now this activity has resulted in one peer-reviewed paper that has been recently accepted for publication and is right now under production, and where I am first author. This project will result in at least one more peer-reviewed paper that right now is in progress.

Nonvisual light regulation of biological rhythm and life history transformation.

Biological rhythms are largely controlled by changes in light throughout the day and throughout the year. The organism uses these rhythms to synchronize biological processes to the time of the day or periods of the year. Atlantic salmon is a good model for studying how light regulates biological rhythms, especially seasonal rhythms since its life history is largely regulated by season, e.g. smoltification and reproduction. Melatonin, which is secreted from the pineal organ, is the central hormone that regulates both circadian and seasonal rhythms. In fish, the pineal organ is directly photoreceptive, but little is known about the photoreceptive mechanisms that regulate melatonin production. In this project, the photoreceptive capacity of the eye and pineal organ of Atlantic salmon is mapped. The results of the project show that the pineal organ's ability to perceive light is based on several extraretinal photoreceptors, some of which indicate that the organ can perceive several parts of the light spectrum. The results are important for understanding how the photoreceptor systems in the pineal organ regulate the daily oscillation of the melatonin level and how light regulates seasonally driven biological processes. New incredibly exciting discoveries have been made in the project. A detailed mapping of the transcriptome of the brain during the transition from yolk sac nutrition (endogenous) to food intake (exogenous) shows a circadian activation of the clock genes. This shows that the functional clock that cycles over 24 hours is first activated in connection with exogenous food intake, where the fish must actively seek and find food during the period of the day when it is light. 2021-2025.

Effects of water quality and feed on nephrocalcinosis in Atlantic salmon and Rainbow trout – Early detection and mitigating measures. Grant No 901874 (Pl w/UBC, Ugot, Nofima, Moredun RI & Industry partners) 2024 - 26

Nephrocalcinosis: Unlocking the key to dietary intervention. Grant No 346274 (Co-PI w/ Skretting AS) 2024 - 2026

Livsløpsstudie med Atlantisk laks av de kritiske innsatsfaktorene temperatur og salinitet. Grant No 9011770 (WP3 leader w/Nofima, UiT, NTNU & industri partnere) 2022 - 2025

Physiology shapes the happy salmon - a systems approach to sustainable feeds for stimulation of growth, welfare and survival. Grant No 332568 (Co-PI, WP5 Leader w/ Ugot, SLU, Holar Uiv. & industry partners) 2021 - 2026

This project aim is to confirm the previously observed preventive effect of a composite acoustic soundscape in seawater (AcuLice) on sea lice infestation on Atlantic salmon. The method was tested in a large-scale pilot project, AcuLice: Effect of Composite Acoustic Soundscape in Seawater on Salmon Lice (FHF-901567), showing clear signs of reduced lice burden in treated salmon compared to untreated groups. Specifically, results indicated a significant increase in the number of weeks from release until the first lice treatment when using AcuLice. The method also appears particularly effective against sea lice and does not induce stress responses in salmon. This follow-up project builds on positive results from both the large-scale pilot and an earlier small-scale study in Hardangerfjorden (Hessvik, Bremnes Seashore) with focus on the effects of the Aculice in welfare and behaviour of salmon and associated species in aquaculture areas. 2023-2025

Funding source: FHF 901686

Salmon lice is a parasite found in nature in salmonids but which has become one of the biggest threats for salmon aquaculture in Norway. The Production Area 3 (PO3) is a high-density farming zone classified as red under Norway’s traffic light system, leading to a production reduction in the area. To deal with this challenge, multiple preventive measures have been implemented in PO3,  including  cleaner fish, mechanical/thermal delousing, submerged cages, and AI-based lice detection to reduce infestations and treatment stress. Other measures are shorter sea production cycles and transfer or larger smolts and farms adopting semi-closed and closed containment systems.  Innovative technologies like acoustic deterrents (AcuLice), electric barriers (Harbor Fence), and lice traps (catchLICE) are being tested to minimize lice spread, while improved wellboat filtration prevent reinfection after delicing treatments. Wild salmon monitoring via the Salmon Tracking program provides data on lice impacts, helping shape better management strategies. A holistic evaluation of PO3’s strategies is necessary to optimize lice management, support sustainable growth, and provide insights for other production areas. 2025-2028

Funding source: FHF 902015

Salmon lice is a parasite found in nature in salmonids but which has become one of the biggest threats for salmon aquaculture in Norway. The Production Area 4 (PO4) has been classified as red under Norway’s traffic light system, leading to repeated reductions in the maximum allowed biomass in the area. Due to the characteristics of the companies in the production area, there is a tight coordination among them, resulting in low mortalities. Preventive measures in the PO4 area include cleaner fish, mechanical delousing, and freshwater treatments. Other measures are shorter sea production cycles and transfer to sea of larger smolts, with farms adopting semi-closed systems  Innovative solution like lice traps (catchLICE) or improved wellboat filtration help to prevent reinfection. The production of rainbow trout has increased in the PO4 area, acting as a biological barrier to lice spreading. Wild salmon monitoring via the Salmon Tracking program provides data on lice impacts, helping shape better management strategies. An interesting paradox in the Sognefjord is that a years with higher salmon farmed biomass had the lowest lice levels in wild salmons.. The Regional coordination on fallowing periods, synchronized production cycles, and treatment timing has helped reduce lice levels. A holistic evaluation of PO4’s strategies is needed to identify the most effective measures, optimize sustainable production, and share insights with other regions. 2025-2028

Funding source: FHF 902019

Salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) is an ectoparasite found in nature in salmonids but which has become one of the biggest threats for salmon aquaculture in Norway. This parasite as other members of the family Caligidae, have a life cycle with several developmental stages. The sea lice Caligus elongatus, known in Norwegian as skottelus, is another parasite present in multiple fish species, including salmon, in Norway. Developmental stages from these two species could be misidentified in the field, biasing the counts of L. salmonis in the aquaculture locations. Focus of this project is to develop molecular tools that could be used to map the relative weight of both species in different areas of Hardangerfjord. 2025-2026

Funding source: PO3/4 Kunnskapsinkubator