Losing the 'arms race': multiresistant salmon lice are dispersed throughout the North Atlantic Ocean

Overview
TitleLosing the 'arms race': multiresistant salmon lice are dispersed throughout the North Atlantic Ocean
AuthorsFjørtoft HB, Nilsen F, Besnier F, Stene A, Tveten AK, Bjørn PA, Aspehaug VT, Glover KA
TypeJournal Article
Journal NameRoyal Society open science
Volume8
Issue5
Year2021
Page(s)210265
CitationFjørtoft HB, Nilsen F, Besnier F, Stene A, Tveten AK, Bjørn PA, Aspehaug VT, Glover KA. Losing the 'arms race': multiresistant salmon lice are dispersed throughout the North Atlantic Ocean. Royal Society open science. 2021 May 26; 8(5):210265.

Abstract

Nothing lasts forever, including the effect of chemicals aimed to control pests in food production. As old pesticides have been compromised by emerging resistance, new ones have been introduced and turned the odds back in our favour. With time, however, some pests have developed multi-pesticide resistance, challenging our ability to control them. In salmonid aquaculture, the ectoparasitic salmon louse has developed resistance to most of the available delousing compounds. The discovery of genetic markers associated with resistance to organophosphates and pyrethroids made it possible for us to investigate simultaneous resistance to both compounds in approximately 2000 samples of salmon lice from throughout the North Atlantic in the years 2000-2016. We observed widespread and increasing multiresistance on the European side of the Atlantic, particularly in areas with intensive aquaculture. Multiresistant lice were also found on wild Atlantic salmon and sea trout, and also on farmed salmonid hosts in areas where delousing chemicals have not been used. In areas with intensive aquaculture, there are almost no lice left that are sensitive to both compounds. These results demonstrate the speed to which this parasite can develop widespread multiresistance, illustrating why the aquaculture industry has repeatedly lost the arms race with this highly problematic parasite.

Properties
Additional details for this publication include:
Property NameValue
Publication ModelElectronic
ISSN2054-5703
pISSN2054-5703
Publication Date2021 May 26
Journal AbbreviationR Soc Open Sci
DOI10.1098/rsos.210265
Elocation10.1098/rsos.210265
Copyright© 2021 The Authors.
LanguageEnglish
Language Abbreng
Publication TypeJournal Article
Journal CountryEngland
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PMID: PMID:34084551