Study on the sublethal effects of the sea lice pesticide Salmosan® (azamethiphos) on adult male lobsters (Homarus americanus)

Description

Salmosan® (active ingredient: azamethiphos) is one of two pesticides currently permitted for use as a bath treatment to control sea lice in farmed salmon in Atlantic Canada. The release of pesticides from fish farms has raised concern regarding the potential for non-target species to be exposed. In particular, there are growing concerns regarding the potential for effects to American lobsters, a commercially important species in Atlantic Canada that is found in the near-shore environment where fish farms are located. Lobsters have been found to be the most sensitive species tested in laboratory assays examining the acute lethality of azamethiphos in the Salmosan® formulation (Burridge and Van Geest, 2014). In this study, adult male lobsters were exposed to 0.06, 0.5, and 5 µg L⁻¹ azamethiphos for one hour, repeated five times, over 48 h. Lobsters were assessed immediately after exposure and over six days of recovery.

A manuscript titled “Repeated sublethal exposures to the sea lice pesticide Salmosan® (azamethiphos) on adult male lobsters (Homarus americanus) causes neuromuscular dysfunction, hypoxia, metabolic disturbances and mortality” was developed from this research and was published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Volume 134, Part 1, December 2016, Pages 106-115. Link and copy of publication provided here.

Program Name

National Contaminants Advisory Group (NCAG)

Year(s)

2014 - 2015

Ecoregion(s)

Atlantic: Newfoundland and Labrador Shelves, Scotian Shelf, Gulf of St Lawrence

Principal Investigator(s)

Jason Bernier (Lead)
Manager, Environment and Planning
CBCL Limited

Dr. Dounia Daoud
General Director
Homarus Inc.