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Shephard S, MacIntyre C, Gargan P
Aquaculture and environmental drivers of salmon lice infestation and body condition in sea trout
The potential impact of marine salmon farming on local sea trout populations has been a topic of debate for nearly three decades. Shephard et al. analyse the level of sea lice infestation on over 20,000 sea trout from 94 rivers along the west coast of Ireland and Scotland over a 25 year period. Statistical models indicated that sea trout captured at locations closer to salmon farms had significantly greater numbers of lice and reduced weight at length (impaired body condition). The finding of a statistically significant relationship between lice infestation on sea trout and distance to salmon farms has implications for lice control management strategies, coastal zone planning, and recovery of sea trout stocks in aquaculture areas.
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