An “Ontario Initiative” Securing Sustainability for the Future of Aquaculture

1. An “Ontario Initiative” Securing Sustainability for the Future of Aquaculture

2. Lyndon Fish Hatcheries Inc. In 2002, Lyndon Fish Hatcheries began with a total fish rearing capacity of approximately 30,000 litres. Our fingerling transportation fleet originated from old milk coolers on a goose-neck trailer being pulled by a 1 tonne truck...

3. Due to the faithful support of our customers, we have been able to expand our facilities. And increase the research portion of our business.

4. Aquaculture Fastest growing food production activity in the world (Timmons & Ebeling, 2007)

5. Proactive planning to secure sustainability Research is an important proactive tool that allows for conclusions towards improvement (Timmons & Ebeling, 2007)

6. Lyndon has been focusing on laying a strong genetic foundation for improving the Lyndon strain as well as developing improved husbandry practices. Since 2005, over 19 projects and $2 million worth of research has been conducted. (Thompson, 2011) Research Intro

7. Breeding Program - Benefits Salmonid selective breeding programs have achieved 10-15% improvement per generation (~4 years) for certain production traits, and these carnivorous fish are now two to three times more efficient than pigs or broiler chickens at converting energy and protein into edible food for humans (Gjedrem, 2000).

8. Information Collection/Analysis • In order for the research to be conducted, data collection and translation is essential. • Upon reaching maturity, each brood fish has a PIT (Passive Integrated Transponder) tag injected below the dorsal fin, and a tissue sample is taken from the adipose fin. • Every time a fish is spawned/milked, it is weighed and measured, the date and time are recorded, and the PIT tag scanned. • Tissue samples are sent to Dr. Roy Danzman at University of Guelph for analysis.

9. Information Collection/Analysis • All data is added to the genetics database. This data, along with results from genetic analysis, is analyzed to assist in determining future crosses. • With our genetics database, we have total traceability. We are able to trace fish from the processing plant back to the mother of that fish. • Due to our focus on efficiency we have been able to reduce the time required to spawn and collect data to approximately 70 seconds per fish…more than 255% faster than we were able to in 2009.

10. Information Collection/Analysis

11. Information Collection/Analysis

12. Research Topics Coldwater Disease Resistance Growth Rates (Salt and Freshwater) Maturation Rates Spawning Time Optimizing Feeding Regimes Triploid vs. Diploid Growth and Survivability Saltwater Tolerance/Survivability .

13. Bacterial Coldwater Disease (BCWD) BCWD is caused by Flavobacterium psychrophilum. Outbreaks typically occur following stress, such as movement. Antimicrobial-dependent treatments are becoming less effective as the bacteria develops resistance. Fish with Bacterial Coldwater Disease Lesions (McMurray, 2013)

14. BCWD - Erythromycin Erythromycin is an alternative to Aquaflor for BCWD treatment. The potential effectiveness of erythromycin against most Ontario F. psychrophilum strains has already been established in vitro at the Fish Pathology Laboratory (FPL). Erythromycin indicated higher mortalities, but also slightly increased growth. At this time, Erythromycin does not appear to be an ideal solution to resolve BCWD in rainbow trout.

15. BCWD - Family Susceptibility • The progeny of at least 60 full-sib families will be experimentally infected via injection. • Mean cumulative mortality in nine trout families infected to date ranged from 9.5% to 85.7%. An industry standard is 35-50%. • This degree of variation indicates a significant opportunity for improvement.

16. BCWD - Family Susceptibility • Development of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing method for BCWD is underway. • PCR testing enables researchers to identify disease resistant fish genetically. • Ability to create disease resistant strain immediately

17. BCWD - Vaccine Development Successful vaccination for BCWD … Directly advances the Ontario agri-food sector by providing tools to reduce antimicrobial use in food animals. Delays the onset of antimicrobial resistance, which has been demonstrated as an emergent threat in Ontario strains of BCWD by the Fish Pathology Laboratory. Real, 2012

18. Growth Rates - Historical Foundation • The Lyndon strain is based on many generations of mass selection. • Mass selection typically results in reduced genetic diversity. • Dr. Roy Danzman from the University of Guelph has verified that there remains strong genetic diversity within the Lyndon Strain. • Due to the strong genetic diversity, there is an ideal foundation to make sustainable improvements.

19. Growth Rates - Past Research • In 2011 and 2012 Lyndon worked with Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), Coldwater Fisheries, and Aquacage Fisheries to examine the growth rate variation, among other things, within the Lyndon strain. • The study revealed significant variation in growth rates between families, which indicated a strong opportunity to select top performing families (notice LN 16 vs. LN 04).

20. A.I.M.A.P (Aquaculture Innovation and Market Access Program) Recirculation Aquaculture Technology 20m3 heated recirculating system to optimize growth rates designed for selection of brood for next generation.

21. AIMAP - BCWD Resistance and Growth Genotyping (genetic identification) the ability to pedigree an entire broodstock population for family production. Fish graded four times throughout this intensive process. Fish screened for resistance to BCWD. Only the resistant fish survive. http://www.fao.org/docrep/field/009/v8720e/V8720E52.gif

22. AIMAP - BCWD Resistance and Growth • To date 300 families have been created from 19 spawning weeks in the system. • Designed to introduce 10,000 eggs from 15 fish every week Lyndon spawns (currently approx. 42 weeks/year). • Only the fish with superior growth will be selected. It is anticipated that only the largest 154 fish per week will be selected as future brood. • Isolating a strain that is both disease resistant and has superior growth rates while maintaining genetic diversity as a nucleus for family based breeding program.

23. Next Steps In order to capitalize on the growth potential for the Ontario industry, we need to be united in our pursuit of increased productivity and competitiveness as mandated in the National Aquaculture Strategic Action Plan Initiative (NASAPI) 2011-2015. There are many opportunities to make more improvements, but this requires substantial resources and co-operation within the industry in order to continue to improve this "Ontario Initiative” and secure the sustainability of the Ontario Trout industry.

24. Thank You

25. Literature Cited Fish Info & Services Co. Ltd 2013.Supply Recirculation Aquaculture System (RAS). [Online]<http://www.fisnet.com/fis/tradingmarket/Read.> Gjedrem, T., 2000. Genetic improvement of cold-water fish species. Aquaculture Research 31:25-33. Mcmurray, S. 2013. University of Idaho. [Online] <http://www.uidaho.edu/cnr/peopleofcnr/currentstudents/featuredgraduatestudents/davidburbank> Real, Natalia. 2012. University of Guelph [Online] <http://fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?l=e&id=49909&ndb=1> Thompson, R. 2011. Montana Governor Takes Trout Eggs Hostage.[Online]<http://thegoat.backcountry.com/2011/12/28/montana-governor-takes-trout-eggs-hostage/? > Timmons, M.B. And Ebeling J.M. 2007. Recirculating Aquaculture.