Research Document - 2014/102
Transport and dispersal of sea lice bath therapeutants from salmon farm net-pens and well-boats operated in Southwest New Brunswick: a mid-project perspective and perspective for discussion
By F.H. Page, B.D. Chang, M. Beattie, R. Losier, P. McCurdy, J. Bakker, K. Haughn, B. Thorpe, J. Fife, S. Scouten, G. Bartlett and B. Ernst
Abstract
Salmon aquaculture sea lice bath treatments result in the release of the bath water containing the therapeutant into the ambient environment. The consequence of these releases to non-target organisms in the receiving environment depends upon the dilution and toxicity of the therapeutant, and whether the non-target organisms are exposed to the released therapeutant; the latter being controlled by the local current regime, the distribution, behaviour and sensitivity of the organisms in relation to the therapeutant. In this report we review some of the general theories pertaining to the transport and dispersal of the substances in the marine environment, empirical information concerning the transport and dispersal of therapeutants from commercial sea lice treatments using tarpaulins, skirts and well-boats, and test some models aimed at simulating the release, drift and dilution patterns. The empirical information reviewed focuses on the release of dye mixed with the therapeutants prior to treatment, and the modeling focuses on the use of current meter information, and the Okubo relationships describing horizontal patch spread.
Accessibility Notice
This document is available in PDF format. If the document is not accessible to you, please contact the Secretariat to obtain another appropriate format, such as regular print, large print, Braille or audio version.
- Date modified: