Scientists identify new gill disease species

A team from the Tasmanian Aquaculture and Fisheries Institute has identified a new species of parasitic amoeba as the cause of a disease in farmed Atlantic salmon.

Amoebic gill disease is caused by a single-celled marine organism that attaches to the gills and can cause heavy stock loss.

For about 20 years it was believed a certain species of amoeba was responsible for the disease, but PhD student, Neil Young has found that it's actually caused by a previously unknown, but related species.

Mr Young says the discovery will help in the development of diagnostics, treatments and vaccines that will benefit salmon farmers.