Sudvet Has Used Plant Compounds to Cut Fish Antibiotics

The Chilean firm has utilized botanical research to reduce pharmaceutical reliance in global aquaculture operations.

Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Pet Health

Gouache-painted editorial illustration featuring aquatic plants and a glass water vessel, representing sustainable aquaculture health solutions. — Sudvet has successfully reduced antibiotic reliance in global aquaculture by implementing botanical compounds that boost fish health and resilience. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should agricultural industries prioritize replacing chemical treatments with natural, botanical alternatives?

The animal health company Sudvet has successfully implemented botanical solutions to boost fish resilience in global aquaculture. This initiative has helped producers in countries like Chile and Norway significantly lower their use of traditional antibiotics and antiparasitic drugs.

Why it matters

By managing stress through preventive botanical strategies, the firm aims to address chronic disease and inflammation in fish. This approach enhances animal welfare while decreasing the environmental impact associated with chemical treatments in fish farming.

Sudvet has utilized over 700 plant species in its research to support fish health. Since 2019, the firm has achieved a 62 percent reduction in antiparasitic consumption through non-pharmacological management strategies.

The players

Sudvet

A Chilean animal health firm that researches botanical solutions to reduce the reliance on antibiotics and antiparasitic drugs in global aquaculture.

Marcela Delgado

The researcher who initiated the exploration of health resilience concepts in 2007, leading to the development of botanical strategies for fish.

The details

The company evaluates botanical compounds using blood markers, biochemical analyses, histology, and productive performance measurements. Technical teams of veterinarians work directly with customers to design and implement these strategies to fit individual farm operations. By shifting away from traditional pharmaceuticals, the program addresses chronic disease and inflammation in fish by proactively managing environmental and biological stress.

Marcela Delgado began exploring health resilience concepts in 2007.
Sudvet began salmon health studies in Norway in 2015.
Non-pharmacological sea lice management was introduced in Chile in 2019.

The Home Front

This development follows a broader global movement to reduce pharmaceutical residues in the aquaculture food supply chain. It marks a shift toward preventive botanical health management as an alternative to the historically heavy reliance on antibiotics in industrial fish farming.

While this news impacts the commercial supply chain, it serves as a reminder to check the sourcing labels on your seafood purchases if you prioritize sustainably raised fish. Consumers can often find information about an aquaculture facility's antibiotic policies by reviewing product certification standards at the grocery store.

The takeaway

Botanical research is providing viable alternatives to pharmaceuticals for managing fish health in global aquaculture. When shopping for fish, look for certifications that indicate responsible farming practices to support these reduced-chemical initiatives.