Characterisation of intestinal disorders in farmed cod at tissue and cell level

Intestinal disorders are currently the leading cause of mortality in cod during the sea phase and pose a major challenge for both welfare and profitability. Intestinal hernia and gut inflammation are particularly common in larger fish during the grow‑out stage, yet their underlying causes remain poorly documented. Observations indicate that farmed cod may have longer and thinner intestines than wild cod, potentially making them more susceptible to such conditions.

The project seeks to deepen our understanding of cod gut health and how feed composition influences the risk of intestinal problems. Special attention is given to the balance of fat and protein in the diet, the types of lipids used, and the role of functional feed ingredients. Møreforsking will establish a cod‑specific intestinal cell line to study intestinal barrier and immune functions and to test how different feed ingredients affect gut health at the cellular level.

The overarching aim is to build a solid knowledge base for developing feeds tailored specifically to farmed cod — feeds that can improve gut health, reduce mortality, and strengthen the long‑term sustainability of the industry.