Roe crackers N_wide_medium Photo: imr.no The money for the research project has been provided by the Research Council of Norway through the scheme "young top researchers in aquaculture". The project will research what bacteria are dangerous for the roe crackers. These will be used in a vaccine in collaboration with Pharmaq. It will also measure how the fish respond to different bacteria.
– It is no secret that the industry has problems with sea lice, and that they have begun to develop resistance to the medications that are given today. Cleaner fish are very effective, but you can't just let them into the cage without making arrangements for it, says Haugland.
In 2013, there were five companies engaged in the farming of sea bream. The number has now increased to 16.
– They are relatively easy to produce. When they have finished the larval stage, you can switch straight to dry feed. The fish is also quite robust, compared to wrasse. It can withstand colder temperatures and is easier to breed, says the researcher.
A vaccine has been developed for the roe beetle, but it only contains components from some bacteria. The researchers hope to further develop this so that it will be possible to avoid diseases in the roe beetle. The project has a total budget of 17.5 million kroner.
Read more at sysla.no
Facts about roe crackers/calls
Latin name: Cyclopterus lumpus
Other Norwegian names: Rognkjølse
Family: Cyclopteridae (ringworms and roaches)
Maximum size: Up to 63 cm and 5.5 kg
Lifespan: More than 7–8 years old, maybe 15
Habitat: Kelp belt during the first year of life, then free-swimming in the sea. Lives from Biscay to Iceland and the northern Barents Sea.
Spawning area: Along the coasts of the eastern Atlantic Ocean in shallow water throughout its range
Spawning time: In the spring which provides the basis for the fisheries that take place
Feeding habits: Mainly plankton found in open water bodies. Project partners:
University of Bergen
Veterinary Institute
Institute of Marine Research
LEVEL
University of Stirling (UK)
University of Santiago de Compostela (Spain)
Fjord Research Sogn
Pharmaq
