NoFood2Waste. Appetite-feeding control in salmon farming
1 Purpose: The trial aims to document basic biological effects of temperature and oxygen levels on appetite, growth and development on Atlantic salmon, including developing a new appetite-controlled feeding model based on basic biological knowledge about appetite regulation, degree of stomach filling and nutrient uptake in relation to size, growth and condition.
2 Distress: We estimate a moderate distress to the fish. The experiment will be carried out at the High Technology Center in Bergen (HIB), and fish reared at temperature (from 8°C to 15°C) or oxygen levels (75% and 100%). To keep track of the fish health and growth rate, fish will be PIT-tagged, and effort will be made to reduce the stress from the handling and tagging by using a light anaesthesia and careful handling. For the PIT-tagging procedure we will follow previously approved protocol (FOTS ID 27401) that is described to cause moderate stress. For tissue and plasma collection, fish will be euthanised with a high dosage of tricaine.
3 Expected benefits: Based on the results from this trial we aim to develop a new appetite-controlled feeding model that will enable us to propose an optimized salmon feeding strategy that reduce feed waste, improves feed conversion efficiency and fish growth, and also result in more robust fish and thus improve welfare. This will allow fish farmers to reduce both feed costs and feed utilization, and importantly also promote an environmentally, sustainable, and ethically production of salmon.
4 Number of animals, and what kind: The trial consists in two small scale experiments, in which a total of 540 and 360 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) will be used in experiment 1 and 2 respectively.
5 Adhering to 3R:
“Reduce”: To be able to perform a statistical assessment we will use 5 replicate fish per tank, which is the required minimum standard in basic physiological studies of fish when significant individual variations is expected. Also, the trial consists of 10 samplings to follow fish appetite and the digestive process at different temperatures and oxygen conditions.
“Replace”: The NoFood2Waste plans to have a deep investigation of the molecular mechanisms that regulate appetite and digestions pathways under different temperature and oxygen. Organs and tissues collected will provide the insights into the appetite and digestion signalling mechanisms. The measured results and assessment of welfare cannot be obtained nor validated by alternative indirect approaches and require trials with live fish, with ex vivo analysis of tissues.
“Refine”: The fish will be reared in a highly controlled laboratory tank environment at ideal water qualities, simulated natural light and appropriate feeding protocols. The facility and all personnel involved in the trial have the necessary authorization and training to carry out the experiment according to Norwegian and European legislation. The team has experience with all the techniques used in the application. Prior to PIT-tagging, fish will be anesthetised, and the procedure is expected to be brief and without complications. Quick recovery is expected after the procedure.
2 Distress: We estimate a moderate distress to the fish. The experiment will be carried out at the High Technology Center in Bergen (HIB), and fish reared at temperature (from 8°C to 15°C) or oxygen levels (75% and 100%). To keep track of the fish health and growth rate, fish will be PIT-tagged, and effort will be made to reduce the stress from the handling and tagging by using a light anaesthesia and careful handling. For the PIT-tagging procedure we will follow previously approved protocol (FOTS ID 27401) that is described to cause moderate stress. For tissue and plasma collection, fish will be euthanised with a high dosage of tricaine.
3 Expected benefits: Based on the results from this trial we aim to develop a new appetite-controlled feeding model that will enable us to propose an optimized salmon feeding strategy that reduce feed waste, improves feed conversion efficiency and fish growth, and also result in more robust fish and thus improve welfare. This will allow fish farmers to reduce both feed costs and feed utilization, and importantly also promote an environmentally, sustainable, and ethically production of salmon.
4 Number of animals, and what kind: The trial consists in two small scale experiments, in which a total of 540 and 360 Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) will be used in experiment 1 and 2 respectively.
5 Adhering to 3R:
“Reduce”: To be able to perform a statistical assessment we will use 5 replicate fish per tank, which is the required minimum standard in basic physiological studies of fish when significant individual variations is expected. Also, the trial consists of 10 samplings to follow fish appetite and the digestive process at different temperatures and oxygen conditions.
“Replace”: The NoFood2Waste plans to have a deep investigation of the molecular mechanisms that regulate appetite and digestions pathways under different temperature and oxygen. Organs and tissues collected will provide the insights into the appetite and digestion signalling mechanisms. The measured results and assessment of welfare cannot be obtained nor validated by alternative indirect approaches and require trials with live fish, with ex vivo analysis of tissues.
“Refine”: The fish will be reared in a highly controlled laboratory tank environment at ideal water qualities, simulated natural light and appropriate feeding protocols. The facility and all personnel involved in the trial have the necessary authorization and training to carry out the experiment according to Norwegian and European legislation. The team has experience with all the techniques used in the application. Prior to PIT-tagging, fish will be anesthetised, and the procedure is expected to be brief and without complications. Quick recovery is expected after the procedure.