Transmission dynamics of parasitic sea lice from farm to wild salmon

Overview
TitleTransmission dynamics of parasitic sea lice from farm to wild salmon
AuthorsKrkosek M, Lewis MA, Volpe JP
TypeComparative Study
Media TitleProceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society
Volume272
Issue1564
Year2005
Page(s)689-96
CitationKrkosek M, Lewis MA, Volpe JP. Transmission dynamics of parasitic sea lice from farm to wild salmon. Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society. 2005 Apr 7; 272(1564):689-96.

Abstract

Marine salmon farming has been correlated with parasitic sea lice infestations and concurrent declines of wild salmonids. Here, we report a quantitative analysis of how a single salmon farm altered the natural transmission dynamics of sea lice to juvenile Pacific salmon. We studied infections of sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus clemensi) on juvenile pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) and chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) as they passed an isolated salmon farm during their seaward migration down two long and narrow corridors. Our calculations suggest the infection pressure imposed by the farm was four orders of magnitude greater than ambient levels, resulting in a maximum infection pressure near the farm that was 73 times greater than ambient levels and exceeded ambient levels for 30 km along the two wild salmon migration corridors. The farm-produced cohort of lice parasitizing the wild juvenile hosts reached reproductive maturity and produced a second generation of lice that re-infected the juvenile salmon. This raises the infection pressure from the farm by an additional order of magnitude, with a composite infection pressure that exceeds ambient levels for 75 km of the two migration routes. Amplified sea lice infestations due to salmon farms are a potential limiting factor to wild salmonid conservation.

Author Details
Additional information about authors:
Details
1Martin Krkosek
2Mark A Lewis
3John P Volpe
Properties
Additional details for this publication include:
Property NameValue
Publication ModelPrint
ISSN0962-8452
pISSN0962-8452
Publication Date2005 Apr 7
Journal AbbreviationProc. Biol. Sci.
LanguageEnglish
Language Abbreng
Publication TypeComparative Study
Journal CountryEngland
Publication TypeJournal Article
Cross References
This publication is also available in the following databases:
DatabaseAccession
PMID: PMID:15870031