Lessons from sea louse and salmon epidemiology

Abstract

Effective disease management can benefit from mathematical models that identify drivers of epidemiological change and guide decision-making. This is well illustrated in the host-parasite system of sea lice and salmon, which has been modelled extensively due to the economic costs associated with sea louse infections on salmon farms and the conservation concerns associated with sea louse infections on wild salmon. Consequently, a rich modelling literature devoted to sea louse and salmon epidemiology has been developed. We provide a synthesis of the mathematical and statistical models that have been used to study the epidemiology of sea lice and salmon. These studies span both conceptual and tactical models to quantify the effects of infections on host populations and communities, describe and predict patterns of transmission and dispersal, and guide evidence-based management of wild and farmed salmon. As aquaculture production continues to increase, advances made in modelling sea louse and salmon epidemiology should inform the sustainable management of marine resources.

Behaviour in the toolbox to outsmart parasites and improve fish welfare in aquaculture

“…; Groner et al . ). Larger companies or interconnected farm sites will coordinate a plan that uses fallowing with all‐in‐all‐out production cycles to reduce the infection pressure in their region by removing the adult lice from the system (Bron et al .…”

Population biology of infectious diseases shared by wild and farmed fish

“…Nevertheless, while the theory of parasite population biology will necessarily fall short of making precise predictions on epidemiological changes, it does provide an informative framework for interpreting the causes of observed outbreaks, changes in pathogen traits, management successes and failures, and future expectations Bateman et al 2016;Groner et al 2016). This connection between theory and practice does not only point to some utility for management but also opportunities to develop, test, and refine theory.…”

Infectious diseases in oyster aquaculture require a new integrated approach

“…In marine systems, water transmits free-moving pathogens between hydrodynamically connected farms [97] and infection can begin without the presence of an infected host within a healthy population. A modified discrete time susceptibleinfected-recovered (SIR) type model is therefore needed, representing farm units linked by a hydrodynamic model that allows for between-farm transmission [51,98].…”

“…Acceptability can be estimated with participation rates obtained from survey questionnaires to stakeholders. Considering that the effectiveness of disease control strategies relies on a collaboration between neighbouring farms [89,98], acceptability of disease control should be measured in the largest possible proportion of growers that participate in long-term activities. The perception of oyster farmers of recent disease mortality outbreaks of oysters and their consequences on their production areas, business and professional organization is the subject of ongoing study in France [107].…”