New Insights into the Light Needs of Farmed Salmon
Introduction
Recent studies in Norway are shedding light on how farmed salmon and rainbow trout perceive their aquatic environment. Scientists are investigating the implications of light from the early stages of hatching through to harvest, with the aim of providing fish farmers with valuable recommendations.
The Importance of Light in Aquaculture
Light management is a critical aspect of aquaculture that significantly influences the health and growth of fish. By modifying the intensity, quality, and timing of light exposure, farmers can promote healthy growth, synchronize smoltification, and mitigate early sexual maturation in fish.
Research Goals
The primary objective of this research is to explore light environments from the fish’s perspective. By doing so, scientists hope to recommend lighting regimes that align optimally with the biological needs of salmon and trout at each stage of their development.
Industry Survey Initiated
Project leader Anja Striberny from Nofima, along with her team, has started mapping current light usage in Norway’s aquaculture sector. She notes, “With over a thousand scientific articles focusing on the effects of light on salmon and trout, fish farmers have expressed the need for a comprehensive overview based on research. We are conducting a survey on light management practices in the industry.”
Addressing Research Gaps
To strengthen the study, the project group is not merely relying on existing literature but will also conduct new experiments on the relationship between fish and light. One of the significant challenges is the current measurement standard for light, which is based on human perception (lux). Alexander West, a scientist at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway, emphasizes the need to understand light-sensing proteins called opsins in salmon, which vastly differ from those in humans.
Matching Practices with Biological Needs
While SINTEF Ocean will delve into defining some of the unknown light environments, Nofima and NORCE are set to explore how different light qualities impact salmon physiology and welfare. The initiative, known as the “IllumiAkva” project, is a collaborative effort involving multiple research and industry partners, including Nofima, UiT, SINTEF Ocean, NORCE, the University of Manchester, and the Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), along with industry players like Salmar Settefisk and Grieg Seafood.
Funding and Future Plans
Supported by the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF), this groundbreaking project is scheduled to run until June 2028. For more details, please visit fhf.no.
Photo Credit: Image of Alex West and Jana Kalinova in the opsin laboratory at UiT, characterizing the light response of salmonids. (Credit: Anja Striberny, Nofima)
