This review surveys the available literature on the effieaey and eeotoxieology of chemotherapeutic agents for the control of sea lice (Copepoda: Caligidae) infestations in marine aquaculture. To date, treatment for the disease has relied almost exclusively on the use of the organophosphorus pesticides, trichlorfon and dichlorvos. While use of dichlorvos and trichlorfon appears to have little, if any, environmental impact, protracted use in some areas has led to reduced efficacy. Compounds proposed for sea lice control currently under field evaluation include azamethiphos (organophosphate), ivermectin (avermectin), pyrethrum (pyrethrin) and hydrogen peroxide. Although all of these eompounds are effi cacious, at present published information on marine environmental toxicology is scarce and is limited to in vitro toxieity testing. Other compounds that have been considered for sea lice control include formalin, malathion (organophosphate), earbaryl (earbamate), diflubenzuron (insect growth regulator) and natural remedies (i.e. onions and garlic). In general, formaldehyde (aldehyde), malathion and natural compounds show either poor efficacy or unsuitable therapeutic margins. Although earbaryl and diflubenzuron are both efficacious and exhibit suitable therapeutic margins, available data suggests that the compounds, due to undesirable environmental toxieologieal characteristics, would be unsuitable for sea lice control.

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Pseudodelphis oligocotti n. gen., n. sp. (Dracunculoidea; Guyanemidae) is described from the tidepool sculpin, Oligocottus maculosus (Scorpaeniformes; Cottidae), from various localities in coastal British Columbia. The species is placed in Guyanemidae because of its reduced buccal capsule, divided esophagus, functional vulva, and single ovary. It is distinguished from Guyanema, the only other genus in the family, by the absence of caudal alae and the arrangement of caudal papillae in the male. Females of the new genus are distinguished from those of Guyanema by the presence of a blind uterine diverticulum, without associated oviduct and ovary, extending anteriorly from the junction of the posterior uterus and vagina, and a more posteriorly positioned vulva. Fish were sampled every 2 wk throughout 1988. Worms were overdispersed in the host population. Prevalence and mean intensity of infection were highest from February to March.

An international survey revealed that eleven compounds representing five pesticide types are currently being used on commercial salmon farms for sea lice control. These include two organophosphates (dichlorvos and azamethiphos); three pyrethrin/pyrethroid compounds (pyrethrum, cypermethrin, deltamethrin); one oxidizing agent (hydrogen peroxide); three avermectins (ivermectin, emamectin and doramectin) and two benzoylphenyl ureas (teflubenzuron and diflubenzuron). The number of compounds available in any one country is highly variable, ranging from 9 (Norway) to 6 (Chile, United Kingdom) to 4 (Ireland, Faeroes, Canada) to 2 (US)). Dichlorvos, Azamethiphos and cypermethrin were the most widely used compounds (5 countries) followed by, hydrogen peroxide, ivermectin and emamectin (4 countries each), teflubenzuron (3 countries), diflubenzuron (2 countries), and deltamethrin, pyrethrum and doramectin (1 country each). Although, like trichlorfon, dichlorvos use is being discontinued in several countries notably Norway and the Faeroes. In most instances the availability of sea lice chemotherapeutants is limited, many being used under extra-label veterinary prescription or exemption, and special investigation permits. Access to a broad range of compounds with different modes of action, as well as application methods, has only recently been acquired making assessment of chemotherapy, and therefore integrated pest management, difficult.