Project Summary
Fish health continues to be identified as a high priority issue that must be addressed to improve aquaculture production in the NCR. This was reiterated yet again during the 2025 NCRAC Meeting Listening Sessions in Kansas City, MO. The current proposal is a direct result of conversations with producers in attendance. Bacterial coldwater disease (BCWD), challenges with medicated feed availability, importance of water quality, nutrition and fish health management tools, improved access to trained fish veterinarians, and workshops were specifically identified by the Listening Session attendees. Our ongoing USDA-NIFA NCRAC funded “Improving fish health in the NCR by integrating extension with the development of alternative disease prevention methods” grant yielded a pivotal survey of producers on fish health, which identified many needs and profound support for aquaculture veterinary outreach. Based on the survey findings, vaccination is currently utilized by only 13% of surveyed producers; however, based on conversations between Drs. Kebus and Loch and NCR producers, there is substantial interest in gaining access to vaccines. NCR producers would benefit from learning how to use vaccines for fish. Thus, we propose to train producers on the use of vaccines and advance the application of BCWD vaccines within NCR trout farms.
Objectives
Objective 1. To build further awareness among producers on the benefits of vaccination for enhancing fish health in the NCR
Objective 2. To provide advanced fish vaccine use training for veterinarians to ultimately benefit NCR fish farmers
Objective 3. To enhance disease prevention in NCR trout and salmon farms through further optimization of recently developed bacterin (i.e., vaccine) preparations against bacterial coldwater disease
Duration: 2 Years (January 1, 2026-December 31, 2027)
Participants
PI: Myron Kebus, Michigan State University
Co-PI: Thomas Loch, Michigan State University
Co-PI: Emma Hauser, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Extension Liaison: Emma Hauser, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Industry Liaison: Marvin Emerson, Crystal Lake Fisheries, Inc.
Project Outline
Award Amount
$225,586
Award Number
2024-38500-42307, $47,361 (Year 1)
2025- 38500-45290, $178,225 (Year 2)
