Aquaculture in South Africa is currently a relatively small industry, contributing only about 0.8% to the country’s fish production.
However, while SA still relies heavily on wild capture fisheries, harvests are declining, and predications are that by 2050, half of all animal protein consumed by people globally will come from aquaculture. There is therefore untapped potential for SA’s aquaculture industry to contribute to food security and economic development. However, high stocking densities and other production stresses leave captive fish susceptible to infectious diseases, and vaccination is critical to the success of such farming systems.
In terms of production value, trout farming is currently the second largest contributor to the aquaculture sector in SA, after abalone, and, with the launch of our Aquamune range, Deltamune has recently embarked on the supply of autogenous vaccines to this industry. This development aligns well with Deltamune’s new home in the Vaxxinova group of companies, for which a major focus is the development and production of both marine and freshwater aquaculture vaccines. This provides an unprecedented opportunity for Deltamune to benefit from the expertise and experience of leaders in the field. In this light, Dr Sven Parsons, manager of the Deltamune Autogenous Vaccine Unit recently visited the Vaxxinova Norway laboratories in Bergen to establish collaborative ties and learn more about their processes.
Through these exciting developments, Deltamune is gaining new expertise in the characterisation and cultivation of unique pathogens and the production of specialised vaccine formulations that will support the growth of aquaculture in South Africa.
Reach out to our team at sales@deltamune.co.za to learn more about how Aquamune Vaccines can protect your stock and enhance your aquaculture production.
Shaping The Future of Animal Health in Africa.