Develop an automatic on-line molecular monitoring and treatment system to secure healthy fish within closed containment aquaculture systems

The production potential of Atlantic salmon in Norway is influenced by a large number of variables that may best be controlled if it is possible to follow representative samples, collected randomly from fish that are still alive inside the production plant. The most optimal or objective way to follow stress or well-being of a fish is to be able to automatically analyze in-vitro, different molecular changes within representative samples. The first generation of Automated Fish Sample Collection System was developed to combine with refining technology from the other partner in the CtrlAQUA center in order to give a high analytical sensitivity, a low enough number of false negatives and positives. The unique Continuous Concentration and Separation (CCS) technology is to establish this unique separation and sorting in connection with the concentration. In addition, the technology is able to remove, sort, separate all particles or cells within a small or large volume of complex liquid.

The main purpose with new smart integrated sensor technology made by the combination of biotechnology, nanotechnology, information and communications technology is to secure optimal research possibilities and automatic on-line molecular control of health within aquaculture systems. This innovative Norwegian technology will not only secure socially, economically and environmentally sustainable growth in the Norwegian aquaculture industry, but it will allow for the rapid increase in the production of new species lower in the food chain. This Norwegian point-of-care nucleic acid diagnostics (POCNAD) that has been developed, supported by a number of NFR and EC projects, is ready to be further developed and explored in order to generate more knowledge, research data and sustainable operations generating and using automatic on-line good fish health and welfare related technology. The production potential of Atlantic salmon in Norway and USA is influenced by a large number of variables that may be best controlled if it is possible to follow a representative enough samples collected randomly from fish that are still alive inside the production plant. The most optimal or objective way to follow stress or well-being of a fish is to be able to automatically analyze in-vitro different molecular changes within representative samples. These samples may be evaluated one by one or it may be pooled together from several fish followed an automatic random collection of samples. This may secure a more sustainable use of this kind of technology. The main development and research work will be done at the Nofima research facilities at Ås (supervised by Dr. Jørgensen), in Sunndalsøra (supervised by Dr Terjesen), the laboratories at the Institute of Biology (Bergen University) (supervised by Prof Sigurd Stefansson) and the rented laboratory at the IMST/HBV (supervised by Prof Frank Karlsen.The main researh and development will be done using devices produced by ORP AS and its partners.