Think quality is all paperwork and regulations? Think again, we’re busting some of the biggest myths about quality that we hear all the time and setting the record straight!

Truly fin-tastic news from Lake Champlain: after more than five decades of teamwork and science, the lake’s native lake trout have made a strong comeback that they no longer need to be stocked with hatchery-raised cousins.

With the growth in demand for sustainable products bring the growth of greenwashing, a marketing tactic that presents companies as environmentally friendly or adopting sustainable practices without any proof that they act as they claim. With labels like “organic”, “eco-friendly”, “green” or “all-natural” sprouting up on products throughout a variety of industries, it is hard to know the truth behind the marketing. Who is protecting consumers against this greenwashing? Starting in 2025 & 2026, the Canadian government and the European Union are taking a stand on these aloof labels and putting policies in place to protect consumers from misleading sustainability claims.

As global demand for sustainable seafood rises, so does the pressure to find effective, environmentally friendly solutions to persistent health challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the management of bacterial infection such as Yersinia ruckeri, a pathogen notorious for impacting juvenile rainbow trout and other farmed fish. Traditional responses have relied heavily on vaccines and antibiotics but growing concerns about antimicrobial resistance and regulatory restrictions have made these approaches increasingly unsustainable.

We are excited to attend the Aquaculture Canada Conference & Tradeshow in Fredericton this year from June 8-11! This conference always provides a great opportunity to learn from industry experts both close to home and from around the world, discover the latest trends and gain new insights on the industry.

Vetagro, an Italian leader in animal biotechnology, in collaboration with Canadian aquaculture CRO Onda, have announced compelling results from a joint research initiative evaluating microencapsulated phytogenics for their efficacy against Yersinia ruckeri—a major pathogen in rainbow trout farming.

In the fast-evolving world of aquaculture, fish health is central to both operational success and long-term sustainability. Diseases, like Cardiomyopathy Syndrome (CMS), that are years away from developing market-ready vaccines, must rely solely on careful biosecurity and surveillance practices to reduce the impact of disease through early detection.

There are funding opportunities available both domestically and internationally, but finding the right one can be a challenge, and the application process for an international fund could require outside help. There are many opportunities to move your research forward with government grants that are available to those working in the industry and Onda is here to assist in any way we can to support your research, including assisting in finding and writing the grants. 

Animal testing is a part of research that has not been outsourced to AI or technology and does not present with an alternative method. Animal testing has contributed significantly to advances in medicine, agriculture & aquaculture, and environmental sciences. At this point in time, animal testing is still a necessary part of research, but strides are being made to move more testing to benchtop and other viable options. However, until new options are developed, it will remain an important part of ensuring safety and efficacy for various treatment options and come with an undeniable ethical obligation: ensuring the welfare of animals involved in research.

Sustainable aquaculture means not just farming fish responsibly but also feeding them responsibly — and reducing fishmeal is a major part of that. Bring on microalgae!

Onda, a leading Canadian contract research organization specializing in aquaculture health, nutrition and innovation, is proud to announce that it has been awarded funding from the prestigious Ignition Fund. This grant will support the development of rapid diagnostic test kits designed to enhance disease detection and management in aquaculture.

Onda is committed to sustainability in aquaculture—through innovative research, resource-efficient systems, and ethical practices, we’re advancing responsible solutions that protect ocean health and support a resilient industry.

Onda Contract Research and the Center for Aquaculture Technologies now offer full-length 16S sequencing for precise microbiome analysis—unlock deeper insights into aquaculture health, pathogen detection, and biofilter optimization with expert guidance.

The rapid spread of dermo disease and MSX in Atlantic Canada's oyster industry underscores the urgent need for advanced diagnostics—Onda's new rapid dermo test empowers farmers with early detection tools to protect shellfish stocks, sustain coastal economies, and preserve vital marine ecosystems.

Onda supports global aquaculture innovation—learn how the European Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) can help fund your next project, and let our team guide you through the application process for success.

Dr. Fast and his team have identified mechanisms of resistance to sea lice in Pacific salmon collaborating with the experts at Onda’s AQC3 lab in Atlantic Canada, demonstrating the successful application of CRISPR gene editing techniques in Coho salmon.

Citribel and Onda’s collaboration supports Mycofence®’s successful market entry with a shared vision for advancing sustainable aquaculture health solutions.

The discovery of MSX in PEI raised immediate concerns, threatening local economies that depend on oyster farming and harvesting. In response to this urgent need, Onda developed a validated quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR) test to detect MSX efficiently and accurately.

Announcing the opening of a satellite location in Brazil to expand services to include work with whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), marking a pivotal step in advancing sustainable shrimp farming research globally.

The company unveiled a new name, a new logo, and a newly appointed CEO dedicated to fostering a future where sustainable aquaculture defines market expectations.