Insights and Lessons from Chilean Salmon Aquaculture on Antimicrobial Use

Area of Science:

• Aquaculture
• Veterinary Medicine
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Chilean salmon aquaculture faces significant challenges from bacterial pathogens, notably Piscirickettsia salmonis.
• This leads to high antimicrobial usage, with 351.1 tons used in 2024, impacting food security and sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a roadmap for prudent antimicrobial stewardship in Chilean salmon aquaculture.
• To inform public policies and industry best practices for managing bacterial diseases sustainably.

Main Methods:

• A workshop convened 27 experts to discuss challenges and solutions.
• Discussions focused on four critical areas: Antimicrobial Resistance Prevention, Communication and Education, Therapeutic Alternatives, and Environmental Impact.

Main Results:

• Recommendations include establishing "One Health" surveillance systems, enhancing veterinary training, developing novel therapeutic alternatives (plant extracts, immunotherapy), and improving environmental risk assessment.
• A decade-long timeline is projected for effective implementation of communication strategies.

Conclusions:

• The workshop provides a framework for sustainable antimicrobial use in salmon aquaculture, serving as a global case study.
• The developed roadmap offers universally applicable recommendations for stakeholders in aquaculture and animal farming worldwide.