'Snorkel' lice barrier technology reduced two co- occurring parasites, the salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) and the amoebic gill disease causing agent (Neoparamoeba perurans), in commercial salmon sea-cages

Overview
Title'Snorkel' lice barrier technology reduced two co- occurring parasites, the salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) and the amoebic gill disease causing agent (Neoparamoeba perurans), in commercial salmon sea-cages
AuthorsWright DW, Stien LH, Dempster T, Vågseth T, Nola V, Fosseidengen JE, Oppedal F
TypeJournal Article
Journal NamePreventive veterinary medicine
Volume140
IssueN/A
Year2017
Page(s)97-105
CitationWright DW, Stien LH, Dempster T, Vågseth T, Nola V, Fosseidengen JE, Oppedal F. 'Snorkel' lice barrier technology reduced two co- occurring parasites, the salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) and the amoebic gill disease causing agent (Neoparamoeba perurans), in commercial salmon sea-cages. Preventive veterinary medicine. 2017 May 01; 140:97-105.

Abstract

Diverse chemical-free parasite controls are gaining status in Atlantic salmon sea-cage farming. Yet, the intricacies of their use at commercial scale, including effects on co-occurring parasites, are seldom reported. A new salmon lice prevention method involves installing a deep net roof and 'snorkel' lice barrier in cages to shelter salmon from free-living infective larvae which concentrate at shallow depths, and allows salmon to jump and re- inflate their buoyancy-regulating swim bladder by swallowing air. We document use of snorkel cages (10m deep barrier) in commercial farms, where their effects on salmon lice levels, amoebic gill disease (AGD)-related gill scores, the cage environment, fish welfare and farm management practices were compared to standard cages. During an autumn-winter study involving only snorkel cages, high AGD-related gill scores were observed to decline when freshwater was pumped into snorkels, creating a freshwater surface layer for salmon to enter for self-treatment. In a spring-summer study incorporating snorkel and standard cages, snorkel cages were found to reduce new lice infestations by 84%. The deployment of snorkels and intermittent oxygen depletion detected within them in the spring-summer study did not alter fish welfare parameters. Overall, the results suggest snorkel technology has a place in the toolkit of commercial salmon sea-cage farmers co-managing salmon lice and amoebic gill disease outbreaks - two principal parasite issues facing the industry.

Author Details
Additional information about authors:
Details
1D W Wright
2L H Stien
3T Dempster
4T Vågseth
5V Nola
6J-E Fosseidengen
7F Oppedal
Properties
Additional details for this publication include:
Property NameValue
Publication ModelPrint-Electronic
ISSN1873-1716
eISSN1873-1716
Publication Date2017 May 01
Journal AbbreviationPrev. Vet. Med.
PIIS0167-5877(16)30531-1
Elocation10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.03.002
DOI10.1016/j.prevetmed.2017.03.002
CopyrightCopyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
LanguageEnglish
Language Abbreng
Publication TypeJournal Article
Journal CountryNetherlands
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PMID: PMID:28460755