Scottish Government

A key priority for Marine Scotland Science (MSS) is to prevent the introduction and spread of serious aquatic diseases in Scotland, as well as investigating and diagnosing unexplained mortalities.

MSS is able to provide a commercial advice and diagnostic service for the diagnosis, surveillance and screening of fish, shellfish and crustacean diseases and pathogens, which it does for the aquaculture industry, District Salmon Fishery Boards, Fishery Trusts and other stakeholders.

This includes:

• a suite of diagnostic laboratories specialising in bacteriology, histopathology, immunology, molecular genetics, parasitology and virology
• the capacity to sequence DNA and RNA of isolates and perform genotyping and phylogenetic analysis
• a standardised approach to diagnostic sampling and testing by prioritising analytical methods based on scientific knowledge (Specificity [Sp] & Sensitivity [Se] testing)
• commercial screening of samples as requested (see below)
• National Reference Laboratory Functions (NRL)