Salmon lice – impact on wild salmonids and salmon aquaculture
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Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Blackwell Publishing Ltd
Abstract
Salmon lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, are naturally
occurring parasites of salmon in sea water. Intensive
salmon farming provides better conditions for
parasite growth and transmission compared with
natural conditions, creating problems for both the
salmon farming industry and, under certain conditions,
wild salmonids. Salmon lice originating
from farms negatively impact wild stocks of
salmonids, although the extent of the impact is
a matter of debate. Estimates from Ireland and
Norway indicate an odds ratio of 1.1:1-1.2:1 for
sea lice treated Atlantic salmon smolt to survive
sea migration compared to untreated smolts. This
is considered to have a moderate population regulatory
effect. The development of resistance
against drugs most commonly used to treat salmon
lice is a serious concern for both wild and
farmed fish. Several large initiatives have been
taken to encourage the development of new strategies,
such as vaccines and novel drugs, for the
treatment or removal of salmon lice from farmed
fish. The newly sequenced salmon louse genome
will be an important tool in this work. The use of
cleaner fish has emerged as a robust method for
controlling salmon lice, and aquaculture production
of wrasse is important towards this aim. Salmon
lice have large economic consequences for
the salmon industry, both as direct costs for the
prevention and treatment, but also indirectly
through negative public opinion.
Description
Keywords
aquaculture, Atlantic salmon, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, management, Pacific salmon, socio-economic impact