Overview - Integrated Pest Management of Sea Lice in Salmon Aquaculture

ISBN: 0-662-33999-1
Cat. No.: H114-9/2003E

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Summary

Sea lice are parasitic copepods belonging to the family Caligidae. They are natural parasites of wild salmon and other marine fish, but can cause serious disease in farm-reared salmonids. Serious outbreaks of sea lice were first reported in Norway during the mid-seventies following the development of systems for the intensive rearing of salmon in marine net pens. Since then, sea lice infections have been reported in most regions around the world where salmon are farmed.

In Scotland, sea lice are considered the most economically important disease and in 1996 were estimated to cost the industry the equivalent of $70 million from direct mortality losses, treatment costs, lost growth, and labour to deal with the problem. In Canada, serious disease caused by sea lice has occurred in stocks of farmed salmonids on both coasts, but most notably within the New Brunswick salmon farming industry. In New Brunswick, sea lice infestations of farmed salmon have recently become a major economic and environmental problem for the industry, and in 1995, economic losses due to sea lice were estimated at $20 million. In addition to direct damage to salmon, sea lice have been implicated as vectors of viral and bacterial diseases of fish.

While the ability to deal with outbreaks is often the most pressing concern of those involved in salmon production, there is acknowledgement that the use of long-term integrated strategies for managing sea lice is important to the sustainability of the industry and the environment in which it operates. This document is produced by a working group comprising salmon producer representatives, therapeutant manufacturers, researchers, federal and provincial government officials, and others in order to address that need. The document provides an overview of sea lice biology and management tools, and recommendations for integrated management of sea lice and for further work.

The information in this report is based on a review of recent scientific literature and experience of the participants. While individual literature citations are not provided, a reference list of useful sources is included.