In the current geopolitical climate, food production has come to the forefront. We are in a situation where we need to find a way to provide affordable high quality protein. At present, the most energy efficient animal protein production is aquaculture in open net-pens. Aquaculture now accounts for approximately 50% of total fish production for human consumption. Moreover, mariculture has considerable growth potential particularly in underdeveloped nations, where the traditional way of gathering marine protein is impacted by overfishing and climate change. A well developed aquaculture industry should benefit the ecosystem on which it depends as well as the community around it; i.e. aquaculture relies on well structured coastal management.
"We must plant the sea and herd its animals using the sea as farmers instead of hunters. That is what civilization is all about – farming replacing hunting." ~ Jacques Cousteau
Work Experience
Cermaq Canada
Senior Veterinarian
Campbell River, BC, Canada – September 2020 to present
Senior Veterinarian focussed on the fish health and welfare at Cermaq Canada.
Cermaq Canada
Fish Health Director
Campbell River, BC, Canada – January 2019 to September 2020
Fish health director in charge of running the fish health department at Cermaq Canada, one of 3 operational companies belonging to Cermaq.
Cermaq Group
Clinical Scientist
Bergen, Norway – December 2015 to January 2019
I worked in the R&D group of Cermaq. I focussed on a bacterial disease seen in juvenile salmon when they are first transferred from freshwater to saltwater. The aim of the project was to develop new ways of mitigating the disease with a focus on a prototype vaccine. Through this project I completed my PhD.
Cermaq Canada
Fish Health Manager
Campbell River, BC, Canada – June 2015 to December 2015
Acting fish health manager in charge of running the fish health department during a transition period. There were significant fish health challenges during this time and many decisions in regards to treatments and animal welfare.
Cermaq Canada
Fish Health Technical Manager
Campbell River, BC, Canada – September 2011 to June 2015
At Cermaq Canada, I worked as a veterinarian investigating fish health and quality concerns, with a focus on prevention. I lead and coordinated projects and screening programs, such as disease screening and vaccination assessments. The collection and analysis of data enabled us to make data driven decisions.
Education
Universitetet i Bergen
PhD in Fish Health
Bergen, Norway – December 2015 to December 2018
Completed a PhD on mouthrot in Atlantic salmon through The Research Council of Norway's Industrial PhD scheme. The main objective of this project "Mouthrot in farmed Atlantic salmon" was to gain new knowledge about Tenacibaculum maritimum (a marine bacterium) and its role in causing ulcerative disease in Atlantic salmon, and to develop preventive measures to reduce the impact in salmon farming.
University of Stirling
Masters of Science in Aquatic Veterinary Studies
Stirling, Scotland – September 2010 to August 2011
The University of Stirling's Aquatic Veterinary Studies focus on an aquaculture specialization specifically designed for qualified veterinarians. My final project was to develop a non-invasive diagnostic tool to detect swim bladder nematodes
(Anguillicoloides crassus) in European eels (Anguilla anguilla).
University of Melbourne
Bachelor of Veterinary Science
Melbourne, Australia – February 2004 to December 2009
The University of Melbourne's Veterinarian program is broad and covers all animals from pets, farm animals, as well as exotic animals such as reptiles, birds, fish, and wild animals. Most of the breaks between semesters were taken up with work experience in farms and clinics. I chose a wide range of experiences, from a goat farm to an animal dentist.
Greater Vancouver Distance Education School
Vancouver, Canada – September 2000 to June 2003
Graduated with Honours