Detailed Research Information

Detailed project information for
Study Plan Number 01072-01

Branch : Fish Health Branch

Study Plan Number : 01072-01

Study Title : Resistance of Atlantic salmon to major bacterial pathogens of Atlantic salmon

Starting Date : 09/30/1995

Completion Date : 09/30/1999

Principal Investigator(s) : Cipriano, Rocco C. & Starliper, Clifford E.

Primary PI : Cipriano, Rocco C.

Telephone Number : (304) 724-4432

Email Address : rcipriano@usgs.gov

SIS Number : 5002162

Primary Program Element : Fisheries and Aquatic Resources

Second Program Element : Application of Science Information to Management

Status : Completed

Abstract : Selection is unwittingly influenced by nuances of fish culturists and adaptation of fish to intensive culture within artificial environments. When pathogens are present, susceptible individuals may be selectively eliminated from a population, accounting for inter-specific and intra-specific differences in susceptibility to disease. Biologists often intensify such selection to enhance resistance. Among Connecticut River, Merrimack River and Penobscot River stocks of Atlantic salmon, differences were observed in challenge and immunologic responses among families of fish from within the same parental origins (either sea run or domestic), but not between origins. Furthermore, these differences were not pronounced between river systems. The study led to two very important items that were not recognized initially. These included (1) the need to conduct additional research to investigate the vertical transmission of Coldwater disease in Atlantic salmon and the first occurrence of Swimbladder sarcoma virus among North American stocks of Atlantic salmon. Particularly important to this discourse was to biologically understand aspects affecting resistance as developed in the selective breeding program initiated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Rome, New York, U.S.A.) to produce brown trout (Salmo salar) and brook trout(Salvelinus fontinalis). In order to further elucidate mechanisms and ecological performance among strains bred for resistance to Aeromonas salmonicida, the Rome strain of brook trout was compared to that of the Owhi strain of brook trout during a 17-month production cycle at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station (Grand Isle, Vermont, U.S.A.) and after stocking into Vermont waters. The Owhi strain is used in recreational fisheries because it has good post-stocking survival, but these fish are sensitive to furunculosis. Our data indicated that the Rome strain had a food conversion rate of 1.3 that was slightly less than the 1.1 conversion rate of the Owhi brook trout. The growth rate among Rome brook trout (24.9 MTU/inch) was greater than the Owhi brook trout (29.5 MTU/inch). Both the average length (23.6 cm) and weight (159.7 g) of individual Rome brook trout were superior to those of the Owhi strain (20.4 cm and 78.2 g, respectively). Just prior to stocking, survival within the hatchery was 84% among the Rome trout, but only 51% among the Owhi brook trout and mortality was attributed to a persistent epizootic of furunculosis. Microbiological assays indicated that the prevalence of A.salmonicida in dermal mucus attained equivalent levels within both strains of fish at different phases of the production cycle. The level of systemic infection, however, was regulated to a much greater extent by the Rome strain of brook trout throughout production. Angler creel census data for both strains of trout within the first year after stocking into nine Vermont waters indicated that the Rome brook trout provided significantly greater returns to anglers (P<0.001) during a short-term recreational. Second year angler returns were evaluated in two of these ponds and also revealed significantly greater (P<0.001) angler harvest of the Rome brook trout.

For More Information :

° Home

U.S. Department of the Interior || U.S. Geological Survey
11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA
URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov
Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov
Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn
Privacy Policy and Disclaimers || FOIA || Accessibility

Branch :	Fish Health Branch
Study Plan Number :	01072-01
Study Title :	Resistance of Atlantic salmon to major bacterial pathogens of Atlantic salmon
Starting Date :	09/30/1995
Completion Date :	09/30/1999
Principal Investigator(s) :	Cipriano, Rocco C. & Starliper, Clifford E.
Primary PI :	Cipriano, Rocco C.
Telephone Number :	(304) 724-4432
Email Address :	rcipriano@usgs.gov
SIS Number :	5002162
Primary Program Element :	Fisheries and Aquatic Resources
Second Program Element :	Application of Science Information to Management
Status :	Completed
Abstract :	Selection is unwittingly influenced by nuances of fish culturists and adaptation of fish to intensive culture within artificial environments. When pathogens are present, susceptible individuals may be selectively eliminated from a population, accounting for inter-specific and intra-specific differences in susceptibility to disease. Biologists often intensify such selection to enhance resistance. Among Connecticut River, Merrimack River and Penobscot River stocks of Atlantic salmon, differences were observed in challenge and immunologic responses among families of fish from within the same parental origins (either sea run or domestic), but not between origins. Furthermore, these differences were not pronounced between river systems. The study led to two very important items that were not recognized initially. These included (1) the need to conduct additional research to investigate the vertical transmission of Coldwater disease in Atlantic salmon and the first occurrence of Swimbladder sarcoma virus among North American stocks of Atlantic salmon. Particularly important to this discourse was to biologically understand aspects affecting resistance as developed in the selective breeding program initiated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (Rome, New York, U.S.A.) to produce brown trout (Salmo salar) and brook trout(Salvelinus fontinalis). In order to further elucidate mechanisms and ecological performance among strains bred for resistance to Aeromonas salmonicida, the Rome strain of brook trout was compared to that of the Owhi strain of brook trout during a 17-month production cycle at the Ed Weed Fish Culture Station (Grand Isle, Vermont, U.S.A.) and after stocking into Vermont waters. The Owhi strain is used in recreational fisheries because it has good post-stocking survival, but these fish are sensitive to furunculosis. Our data indicated that the Rome strain had a food conversion rate of 1.3 that was slightly less than the 1.1 conversion rate of the Owhi brook trout. The growth rate among Rome brook trout (24.9 MTU/inch) was greater than the Owhi brook trout (29.5 MTU/inch). Both the average length (23.6 cm) and weight (159.7 g) of individual Rome brook trout were superior to those of the Owhi strain (20.4 cm and 78.2 g, respectively). Just prior to stocking, survival within the hatchery was 84% among the Rome trout, but only 51% among the Owhi brook trout and mortality was attributed to a persistent epizootic of furunculosis. Microbiological assays indicated that the prevalence of A.salmonicida in dermal mucus attained equivalent levels within both strains of fish at different phases of the production cycle. The level of systemic infection, however, was regulated to a much greater extent by the Rome strain of brook trout throughout production. Angler creel census data for both strains of trout within the first year after stocking into nine Vermont waters indicated that the Rome brook trout provided significantly greater returns to anglers (P<0.001) during a short-term recreational. Second year angler returns were evaluated in two of these ponds and also revealed significantly greater (P<0.001) angler harvest of the Rome brook trout.
For More Information :
° Home


U.S. Department of the Interior \|\| U.S. Geological Survey 11700 Leetown Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, USA URL: http://www.lsc.usgs.gov Maintainer: lsc_webmaster@usgs.gov Last Modified: October 21, 2002 dwn Privacy Policy and Disclaimers \|\| FOIA \|\| Accessibility