Susceptibility of farmed and wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) to experimental infestations with sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis)

Description

Sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) are common pests on farmed Atlantic salmon and can have large economic consequences for the salmon industry. These consequences can include treatment costs, increased mortalities, and negative public perception. Sea lice originating from aquaculture farms may also negatively impact wild stocks of salmonids, although the extent of the impact is unclear. Salmonid species have been shown to have different susceptibilities to sea lice infection. Atlantic Salmon have been shown to exhibit substantial genetic variation (in addition to phenotypic variation) in resistance to sea lice.

This project will utilize controlled sea lice laboratory infestations to determine variations in sea lice susceptibility of three groups of fish: wild salmon from two origins (Garnish River, Conne River) and farmed salmon. Results from this project will;

1. aid the aquaculture industry in understanding and monitoring any potential wild-farmed interactions to ensure sustainable production of fish,
2. better inform on potential differences in sea lice susceptibility between farmed and wild salmon, and
3. provide information on stress levels for salmonids following sea lice infestations in all groups of fish.

Program Name

Aquaculture Collaborative Research and Development Program (ACRDP)

Year(s)

2015 - 2017

Principal Investigator(s)

Dounia Hamoutene
Research Scientist, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Newfoundland and Labrador Region
Email: Dounia.Hamoutene@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Team Member(s)

Harry Murray, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Newfoundland and Labrador Region

Lynn Lush, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Newfoundland and Labrador Region

Kimberley Burt, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Centre, Newfoundland and Labrador Region

Collaborative Partner(s)

Julia Bungay, Cold Ocean Salmon Inc.