United Kingdom News
Genetic breakthrough helps tackle oyster disease
SAIC launches online networking hub
Using a highly sensitive DNA test we can sample the waters the oysters live in to identify the presence of the pathogen. It’s an extremely cost effective and humane approach, and the oysters don’t even need to leave their hatchery”. Nik Sachlikidis of the Cadman Capital Group, owners of Orkney Shellfish Hatchery, commented: “This is another demonstration of our commitment to using science backed, cutting-edge technology to provide the highest possible standard of product. We know that our oysters are exceptional, and now we can also demonstrate that they’re disease free too. We’re continually looking at new ways to improve Above: Heather Jones our native oyster spat product, and to set new standards for industry best SAIC, the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovapractice in this area. Xelect have done tion Centre, is launching a digital forum to a great job of working hand-in-hand encourage collaboration among its consortiwith our team to solve some key issues um members and to promote cross-industry facing the Native Oyster hatcheries networking and knowledge-sharing across the and ensuring our broodstock are Bonaquaculture sector. amia free.” More than 215 member organisations are being invited to join the SAIC Consortium Forum, which has been designed to facilitate the sharing of valuable resources and knowledge in aquaculture. Users will be able to access a range of features, from interactive discussion boards to collaboration opportunities and job vacancies, as well as virtual networking with producers, researchers, supply chain businesses and other companies involved in the sector. Professionals from any of SAIC’s member companies can access the free-to-use platform, opening up further routes to collaborative working, for instance through SAIC’s innovation projects. Members can also sign up to the Forum online at consortium.sustainableaquaculture.com/ Above: Oyster farm A similar platform is also set to launch later this summer for the Women in Scottish Aquaculture (WiSA) network – a group numbering RESEARCH and development into the UK’s fledgling seaweed farming industry has won gold for SAMS more than 300 members, that promotes Enterprise at the Scottish Council for Development and Industry (SCDI) Highlands and Islands Awards. diversity within aquaculture, supports career At the event, held on 24 June, SAMS Enterprise – the commercial arm of SAMS, the Scottish Association development, and encourages new talent into for Marine Science – won the Ocean Winds Award for Excellence in Marine Innovation and Growing the the burgeoning sector. Blue Economy.The other finalists were Hebridean Adventures and Moray First Marine. Heather Jones, CEO of SAIC said: “CollabSAMS Enterprise recently secured a joint investment of £150,000 by SAMS and Highlands and Islands oration is one of the most important factors Enterprise to upgrade its seaweed nursery.The new facility will enable innovative seeding techniques and that can influence growth in aquaculture, and technologies to catalyse growth of the UK seaweed sector, while offering the highest levels of biosecurity we want to connect professionals from a wide and environmental sustainability. range of sectors and geographies in an easily Accepting the award at the virtual ceremony, Head of SAMS Enterprise Mike accessible and supportive way. SAIC’s new foSpain thanked the SCDI and the award sponsors, adding:“At SAMS we rum will provide a great opportunity for our are fortunate to have a concentration of world-leading macro-algae members to collaborate, share knowledge and researchers. best practice, and access useful resources that “This expertise has been the driver behind the science of our innocan help shape the future of the sector. vation in developing seeded material to support Scotland’s growing “Our aim is to support and develop refarmed seaweed industry. I am very lucky to have a fantastic team lationships across all areas of aquaculture, who have led the conversion of the innovative science into practical connecting professionals at every stage of deliverable products grown in our state of the art seaweed nursery.” their careers. In due course, we also plan to Although the seaweed industry is the fastest growing area of prodevelop mobile apps that will allow people to duction within global aquaculture, worth more than £11bn per year, its easily access the platform from any location, full business potential has not yet been realised within the UK, SAMS says. whether they are on a fish farm or at home.” EXPERTS at genetics business Xelect, working with the Orkney Shellfish Hatchery (OSH), have found a way to detect a pathogen responsible for the decline of wild European oyster populations, based on DNA analysis. Bonamia ostrae is a disease affecting European flat oysters, representing a serious risk for wild and farmed oysters. The widely used test for this disease is “destructive”, meaning that the oyster is damaged or killed in the process. The new test, developed by Xelect and OSH, adapts a tried and tested method known as a Taqman Assay using a filtered water sample – a technique called environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis. Xelect’s Dr Paolo Ruggeri, who oversaw the analysis, said: “Bivalves like the flat oyster filter large volumes of water every day, and in the process shed tiny amounts of their own DNA, and the DNA of any parasite they are carrying.
Enterprise award for SAMS seaweed initiative
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12/07/2021 15:01:50
