Symptoms of this new disease are circulatory failure, anaemia and heart inflammation. Although authorities do not yet know how the disease is transmitted, it is thought to be caused by a virus.
The island country Palau, located in Micronesia, is to ban commercial fishing in its waters. Palau's President Tommy Remengesau, said a ban would help allow nature a chance to heal what intensive fishing has destroyed, whilst also helping develop eco-tourism on the island.
A new five year comprehensive research project aims to improve European aquaculture through selective breeding.
The project, FISHBOOST, will address the cost benefits of implementing selective breeding in aquaculture production and advance aquaculture to the next level for six aquaculture species.
Professor Trygve Gjedrem from Nofima, a selective breeding pioneer, who was instrumental in developing the first family based breeding programme in aquaculture for Atlantic salmon, pointed out that in 2010 only 10 per cent of world aquaculture production was based on genetically improved stock from family based breeding programmes.
"I think this is a shame,” he said.
“We believe we will find some answers to what it takes to increase the 10 per cent, and guide aquaculture producers to implement selective breeding in their production,” said Anna Sonesson from Nofima, coordinator of the project.
