Dissolved oxygen levels play a crucial role in the health and welfare of Atlantic salmon reared in aquaculture facilities. Fluctuations in oxygen availability can significantly affect fish performance, growth, and survival rates.
In this context, quantifying the impact of low DO levels on fish performance is essential to optimize aquaculture practices and minimize losses. A study published by scientists from the Institute of Marine Research, the University of Bergen, and Sparos Lda. provides a valuable dataset to help understand the effects of low dissolved oxygen levels on Atlantic salmon.
Experimental Setup and Data Collection
The research, published in the scientific journal Data in Brief, involved two in vivo trials where Atlantic salmon were reared under controlled conditions with three different levels of dissolved oxygen: low (50% saturation), medium (60% saturation), and high (95% saturation). The fish were monitored for several parameters, including:
- Growth and survival: Weight gain, survival rate, and overall growth performance.
- Feed efficiency: Feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and somatic indices.
- Physiological parameters: Fish weight, fork length, sex, organ weight, total body composition, and tail and operculum beat frequency.
- Water quality: Dissolved oxygen, water temperature, salinity, and other environmental factors.
Data Availability and Analysis
The dataset is publicly available and includes detailed information on daily and hourly measurements, sampling data, and zootechnical indicators. Statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA and post-hoc tests to assess differences between treatment groups.
Key Findings
While the full analysis of the dataset is ongoing, preliminary findings suggest:
- Long-term effects: Salmon may exhibit different responses to prolonged exposure to low DO levels compared to short-term variations.
- Metabolic adjustments: Salmon can adapt their metabolic rate to lower DO levels, which may affect their growth and energy expenditure.
- Physiological changes: Chronic hypoxia can lead to physiological changes, such as alterations in gill structure and blood parameters.
Potential Applications in the Salmon Industry
This dataset offers a wealth of information for researchers and aquaculture professionals. Some potential applications include:
- Understanding the effects of low dissolved oxygen: Analyzing the data can help identify specific impacts of low dissolved oxygen on various aspects of Atlantic salmon performance.
- Optimizing aquaculture practices: The findings can be used to develop strategies for managing dissolved oxygen levels in aquaculture facilities, reducing the risk of negative impacts on fish health and productivity. For instance, strategies can be implemented to improve oxygen levels in recirculating aquaculture systems.
- Parametrization of mathematical models: The data can be used to parametrize mathematical models that simulate the effects of dissolved oxygen on Atlantic salmon, providing valuable insights for predictive modeling and risk assessment.
- Further research: The dataset can serve as a foundation for future research, exploring the underlying mechanisms by which low dissolved oxygen affects fish physiology and behavior.
Conclusion
This study provides a valuable dataset to investigate the long-term effects of low dissolved oxygen levels on Atlantic salmon. By analyzing the data, we can gain a deeper understanding of how chronic hypoxia affects fish performance.
In this regard, aquaculture professionals can better understand the risks associated with low oxygen events and develop strategies to mitigate these risks.
The study is part of the NoviFEED project, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the EEA Grant under the Blue Growth program, operated by the Directorate-General for Maritime Policy (DGPM), Portugal.
Contact
Nina Liland
Institute of Marine Research
P.O. Box 1870, Nordnes, Bergen 5817, Norway
Email: Nina.Liland@hi.no
Reference (open access)
Liland, N., Rønnestad, I., Azevedo, M., Lai, F., Oulie, F., Conceição, L., & Soares, F. (2024). Dataset on the performance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) reared at different dissolved oxygen levels under experimental conditions. Data in Brief, 110983. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2024.110983
