National Survey Of Sea Lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis Krøyer and Caligus elongatus Nordmann) on Fish Farms in Ireland – 2023

Abstract

Farmed stocks of Atlantic salmon in Ireland are inspected on 14 occasions throughout the year to monitor sea lice levels as part of a national programme. Sea lice are a naturally occurring parasite found on marine fish, including salmonids. They are small ecto-parasitic copepod crustaceans and there are approximately 559 species. The objectives of the National Sea Lice Monitoring Programme are: <br>To provide an objective measurement of infestation levels on farms. <br> To investigate the nature of infestations. <br> To provide management information to drive the implementation of control and management strategies. <br> To facilitate further development and refinement of this strategy. <br>The sea lice control and management strategy has five principal components: <br> Separation of generations. <br> Annual fallowing of sites. <br> Early harvest of two-sea-winter fish. <br> Targeted treatment regimes, including synchronous treatments. <br> Agreed husbandry practices.