Row over timing for new Slice limits

The Scottish Government has defended its decision to allow a four-year implementation period for new regulations which will reduce the permitted limits for a key sea lice treatment. Environmental campaigners have expressed concern that the new limits will not be imposed sooner. The consultation on a new environmental quality standard (EQS) for emamectin benzoate (EmBz),…

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Grant helps novel sea lice vaccine research to next step

A small sea louse from a salmon river

Hopes for an effective vaccine against sea lice have been boosted with the news of a grant that is helping research into a further stage. Partners from the University of Stirling’s Institute of Aquaculture, AQUATRECK Animal Health SL and Moredun Scientific have been awarded almost £50,000 from the Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre (SAIC), after the…

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Industry chiefs attack new traffic light plan

Salmon industry opposition is growing to the Norwegian government’s revision of the “traffic light system” which sets rules for where aquaculture development is permitted. The chief executives of both Mowi and Leroy Seafoods, Ivan Vindheim and Henning Beltestad respectively, have publicly come out against the proposals. They have said the new plan will do nothing…

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But where are the lice?

Loch Linnhe

Modelling for the supposed prevalence of sea lice is not backed up by samples taken in the field, says Dr Martin Jaffa Congratulations to the Fish Farmer magazine team for hosting their first Aqua Agenda webinar, which took place in January. The subject was fish health (see the report starting on page 46 of this…

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Sea lice research at VESO Aqualab

Egg bearing female salmon lice

Sea lice – a point of focus VESO is a world leading contract research facility, committed to the conduct of state-of-the-art trials with fish and fish pathogens. Our main focus is on know-how regarding host-pathogen interactions and on conducting experimental challenge procedures with the pathogens that commonly affect aquaculture of cold-water species. A particular point…

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Phased introduction of SEPA’s Sea Lice Framework begins

The first phase of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s new Sea Lice Framework begins this month.   The Framework outlines what SEPA describes as “a proportionate, evidence-based approach to protect young salmon from sea lice”. Built on international best practice and using cutting edge science to triage risk, it will help to support the sustainable development of fish farming in…

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Mapping out the lice threat

Consultation is over and SEPA is getting ready to start enforcing Wild Salmon Protection Zones, reports Robert Outram The Scottish Government is to press forward with the roll-out of Wild Salmon Protection Zones, which will restrict fish farming in areas seen as high risk for wild salmon. The proposed regulatory framework has not, however, been…

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