Laboratory production of salmon lice larvae
At the Matre Research station, a range of experiments using salmon lice larvae are planned over the next four years. While most of these experiments do not require animal ethics approval because they only use invertebrate salmon lice, the process of producing them in a laboratory setting requires live fish hosts and therefore animal ethics consent. Salmon lice larvae production involves holding salmon hosts in tanks, transferring adult female lice collected from farms onto these fish, and then harvesting eggstrings as they develop. This procedure can be repeated regularly when required to produce a consistent supply of eggstrings that hatch into larvae, which is vital to conducting experiments using large numbers of larvae. This application covers the lice production for experiments with the objectives of:
a) A precise determination of depth adjustments used by salmon lice larvae to avoid unfavorable salinities and temperatures
b) Development of a FlowCam system for rapid quantification of salmon lice larvae
c) An evaluation of how i) salinity and temperature conditions and ii) pre-exposure to salmon and salmon lice affect the performance and welfare of lice-eating cleaner fish
d) Testing of a salmon lice control method which combines freshwater and mechanical removal processes
The information collected and methods developed will be crucial to better understanding and controlling salmon lice which threatens the production of salmon – a key food item in human consumption. Results will be used by the scientific community, governmental regulation and controlling authorities as well as the industry.
It is anticipated that 711 Atlantic salmon will be used to produce 710500 salmon lice larvae (180000, 40000, 450000 and 40500 salmon lice larvae are needed in parts a, b, c and d). Number of lice per fish according to size will follow the general rules of which will keep the effects on the fish at a low level.
The salmon lice production procedures have been designed according to the three R´s to minimise experimental animal numbers and the parasite burdens they are subjected to, and to also ensure the delivery of rigorous scientific data..
a) A precise determination of depth adjustments used by salmon lice larvae to avoid unfavorable salinities and temperatures
b) Development of a FlowCam system for rapid quantification of salmon lice larvae
c) An evaluation of how i) salinity and temperature conditions and ii) pre-exposure to salmon and salmon lice affect the performance and welfare of lice-eating cleaner fish
d) Testing of a salmon lice control method which combines freshwater and mechanical removal processes
The information collected and methods developed will be crucial to better understanding and controlling salmon lice which threatens the production of salmon – a key food item in human consumption. Results will be used by the scientific community, governmental regulation and controlling authorities as well as the industry.
It is anticipated that 711 Atlantic salmon will be used to produce 710500 salmon lice larvae (180000, 40000, 450000 and 40500 salmon lice larvae are needed in parts a, b, c and d). Number of lice per fish according to size will follow the general rules of which will keep the effects on the fish at a low level.
The salmon lice production procedures have been designed according to the three R´s to minimise experimental animal numbers and the parasite burdens they are subjected to, and to also ensure the delivery of rigorous scientific data..