Sea lice infections on wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout in the River Tamar, UK: a temporal study

Overview
TitleSea lice infections on wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout in the River Tamar, UK: a temporal study
AuthorsJames J, Bradley HA, Hillman R, Elsmere P, Reading AJ, Williams CF
TypeJournal Article
Journal NameDiseases of aquatic organisms
Volume143
IssueN/A
Year2021
Page(s)119-127
CitationJames J, Bradley HA, Hillman R, Elsmere P, Reading AJ, Williams CF. Sea lice infections on wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout in the River Tamar, UK: a temporal study. Diseases of aquatic organisms. 2021 Feb 11; 143:119-127.

Abstract

Sea lice are amongst the most ecologically and economically damaging parasites of farmed salmonids globally. Spill-over from aquaculture can increase parasite pressure on wild fish populations, but quantifying this effect is challenging due to the relative paucity of data available on 'natural' salmonid louse burdens in the absence of aquaculture, particularly for Atlantic salmon Salmo salar. Here, wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout S. trutta were screened at the tidal limit of the River Tamar (UK) for the presence of sea lice. During 2013 and 2015, the prevalence of sea lice ranged from 41 (n = 361) to 60% (n = 275) and 55 (n = 882) to 58% (n = 800) in Atlantic salmon and sea trout, respectively. All sea lice collected were identified as Lepeophtheirus salmonis. Mean L. salmonis infection intensity across the study period was 5.84 (range: 1-66) in Atlantic salmon and 6.45 (range: 1-37) in sea trout. Infection intensity was positively correlated with the amount of external damage present for both fish species. Given that the fish were examined when returning to freshwater, the lice burdens obtained may represent an underestimate. Nevertheless, these data provide important baseline information on 'natural' sea louse infections in South West England, which has been proposed as a potential region for aquaculture development.

Author Details
Additional information about authors:
Details
1Joanna James
2Hannah A Bradley
3Robert Hillman
4Paul Elsmere
5Amy J Reading
6Chris F Williams
Properties
Additional details for this publication include:
Property NameValue
Publication ModelElectronic
ISSN0177-5103
pISSN0177-5103
Publication Date2021 Feb 11
Journal AbbreviationDis Aquat Organ
DOI10.3354/dao03558
Elocation10.3354/dao03558
LanguageEnglish
Language Abbreng
Publication TypeJournal Article
Journal CountryGermany
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DatabaseAccession
PMID: PMID:33570045