A gap analysis on modelling of sea lice infection pressure from salmonid farms. II. Identifying and ranking knowledge gaps: output of an international workshop

Joanne M. Murphy; Meadhbh Moriarty; Adam J. Brooker; William Waites; Crawford W. Revie; Thomas P. Adams; Matt Lewis; Helena C. Reinardy; John P. Phelan; Johnny P. Coyle; Berit Rabe; Stephen C. Ives; John D. Armstrong; Anne D. Sandvik; Lars Asplin; Ørjan Karlsen; Soizic Garnier; Gunnvør á Norði; Philip A. Gillibrand; Kim S. Last; Alexander G. Murray

doi:10.3354/aei00471

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AEI 16:27-42 (2024) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/aei00471

A gap analysis on modelling of sea lice infection pressure from salmonid farms. II. Identifying and ranking knowledge gaps: output of an international workshop

Joanne M. Murphy^1,*, Meadhbh Moriarty¹, Adam J. Brooker², William Waites^3,4, Crawford W. Revie³, Thomas P. Adams⁵, Matt Lewis⁶, Helena C. Reinardy^7,8, John P. Phelan⁷, Johnny P. Coyle^9,13, Berit Rabe¹, Stephen C. Ives¹, John D. Armstrong¹, Anne D. Sandvik¹⁰, Lars Asplin¹⁰, Ørjan Karlsen¹⁰, Soizic Garnier¹, Gunnvør á Norði¹¹, Philip A. Gillibrand¹², Kim S. Last⁷, Alexander G. Murray¹

¹Marine Directorate, Scottish Government, Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen AB11 9DB, UK
²Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK
³Computer and Information Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XH, UK
⁴School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9AB, UK
⁵Scottish Sea Farms Ltd, Barcaldine Hatchery, Argyll PA37 1SE, UK
⁶Intertek Energy & Water Consultancy Services, The Maltings, East Tyndall Street, Cardiff CF24 5EA, UK
⁷Scottish Association for Marine Science, Dunstaffnage PA37 1QA, UK
⁸Department of Arctic Technology, University Centre in Svalbard, 9171 Longyearbyen, Norway
⁹Bakkafrost Scotland, 28 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh EH3 7RN, UK
¹⁰Institute of Marine Research, PB1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway
¹¹Fiskaaling-Aquaculture Research Station of the Faroes, Við Áir, 430 Hvalvík, Faroe Islands
¹²Mowi Scotland Ltd, Farms Office, Fort William PH33 6RX, UK
¹³Present address: Salmon Scotland, 21 Calton Road, Edinburgh EH8 8DL, UK

*Corresponding author: joanne.murphy@gov.scot

ABSTRACT: Sea lice are a major health hazard for farmed Atlantic salmon in Europe, and their impact is felt globally. Given the breadth of ongoing research in sea lice dispersal and population modelling, and focus on research-led adaptive management, we brought experts together to discuss research knowledge gaps. Gaps for salmon lice infection pressure from fish farms were identified and scored by experts in sea lice-aquaculture-environment interactions, at an international workshop in 2021. The contributors included experts based in Scotland, Norway, Ireland, Iceland, Canada, the Faroe Islands, England and Australia, employed by governments, industry, universities and non-government organisations. The workshop focused on knowledge gaps underpinning 5 key stages in salmon lice infection pressure from fish farms: larval production; larval transport and survival; exposure and infestation of new hosts; development and survival of the attached stages; and impact on host populations. A total of 47 research gaps were identified; 5 broad themes emerged with 13 priority research gaps highlighted as important across multiple sectors. The highest-ranking gap called for higher quality and frequency of on-farm lice count data, along with better sharing of information across sectors. We highlight the need for synergistic international collaboration to maximise transferable knowledge. Round table discussions through collaborative workshops provide an important forum for experts to discuss and agree research priorities.

KEY WORDS: Salmon louse · Sea trout · Wild salmon · Stakeholder engagement · Opinion

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Cite this article as: Murphy JM, Moriarty M, Brooker AJ, Waites W and others (2024) A gap analysis on modelling of sea lice infection pressure from salmonid farms. II. Identifying and ranking knowledge gaps: output of an international workshop. Aquacult Environ Interact 16:27-42. https://doi.org/10.3354/aei00471

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