INFEST
The aim of the experiment is to test how experimental conditions affect the interaction between salmonid fish and salmon lice and the outcome of the infestation. Three different conditions will be tested in three separate trials: A) temperature, B)Infestation intensity and C) Infestation pattern. During the experiment, samples will be taken from both fish and parasite to characterize and quantify interaction with the ultimate goal of increasing knowledge on salmon lice to develop new measures to minimize infestations on farmed fish.
Development of such measures will enable farmers to control salmon lice infestations which constitute a major welfare problem salmonid fish. Primarily due to the stress and damages that treatment protocols impose on farmed fish, but also due to potential suffering of wild fish with heavy infestations caused by the parasite. Furthermore salmon lice infestations threatens the production of Atlantic salmon – a key food item in human consumption and a major industry in Norway. Results will be used by the scientific community, as well as the fish farming industry and regulatory authorities.
In all trials the fish will be exposed to a maximum of three procedures: 1. Infestation of fish with sea lice, 2. Pit tagging, measuring and counting of salmon lice (chalimus 2) under anesthesia, 3. Termination of experiment, sedation and sampling of remaining fish
All procedures are designed to cause minimal distress and pain to the fish. Using 2079 fish, we will be able to test three different infestation parameters of which one of them will also be tested in both Atlantic salmon and sea trout.
The 3Rs: Replacement: Not possible as the goal of the experiment is to study the interaction between an obligate parasite an host including mounting of immuneresponse. Reduction: The number of lice settling on fish is highly variable and experiments have been designed to fullfill numbers for statistical analysis and reproducible results. Refinement: Movement of fish and handling of fish will be kept at a minimum.
Development of such measures will enable farmers to control salmon lice infestations which constitute a major welfare problem salmonid fish. Primarily due to the stress and damages that treatment protocols impose on farmed fish, but also due to potential suffering of wild fish with heavy infestations caused by the parasite. Furthermore salmon lice infestations threatens the production of Atlantic salmon – a key food item in human consumption and a major industry in Norway. Results will be used by the scientific community, as well as the fish farming industry and regulatory authorities.
In all trials the fish will be exposed to a maximum of three procedures: 1. Infestation of fish with sea lice, 2. Pit tagging, measuring and counting of salmon lice (chalimus 2) under anesthesia, 3. Termination of experiment, sedation and sampling of remaining fish
All procedures are designed to cause minimal distress and pain to the fish. Using 2079 fish, we will be able to test three different infestation parameters of which one of them will also be tested in both Atlantic salmon and sea trout.
The 3Rs: Replacement: Not possible as the goal of the experiment is to study the interaction between an obligate parasite an host including mounting of immuneresponse. Reduction: The number of lice settling on fish is highly variable and experiments have been designed to fullfill numbers for statistical analysis and reproducible results. Refinement: Movement of fish and handling of fish will be kept at a minimum.