Delousing of salmon
1. Purpose:
The aim of the proposed study is to generate knowledge on a new method for delousing salmon which does not require handling of the fish. We aim at investigating the potential of this new method as a delousing treatment and if this treatment induces behavioural changes of the salmon.
2. Distress:
Based on current state-of-the-art and published knowledge, there is a low likelihood that the salmon will experience distress due to the new delousing method. To avoid distress, the initial tests will be performed on euthanized, lice bearing individuals.
3. Expected benefit:
The new method can be a valuable tool for the salmon industry in the persisting battle against sea lice infestations. The research will also shed light on species specific behaviour of salmonid fishes which is also of value to other sectors and applications such as commercial fisheries and salmon conservation.
4. Number of animals, and what kind:
We will use up to 40 salmon (Salmo salar L.) for our experiments.
5. How to adhere to 3R: Replacement:. Reduction:. Refinement:)
We cannot replace the fish with cell lines or modelling approaches as we want to investigate the behaviour of the fish. The real application of our approach will be related to sea cages, but to reduce the number of animals and gain a higher degree of control, we decided to conduct the experiments in tanks in a laboratory where we can reduce the number of fish used and control all environmental factors. The experiments will be conducted in an environment which was successfully used for salmon before, and the fish will be taken care of by experienced personnel.
The aim of the proposed study is to generate knowledge on a new method for delousing salmon which does not require handling of the fish. We aim at investigating the potential of this new method as a delousing treatment and if this treatment induces behavioural changes of the salmon.
2. Distress:
Based on current state-of-the-art and published knowledge, there is a low likelihood that the salmon will experience distress due to the new delousing method. To avoid distress, the initial tests will be performed on euthanized, lice bearing individuals.
3. Expected benefit:
The new method can be a valuable tool for the salmon industry in the persisting battle against sea lice infestations. The research will also shed light on species specific behaviour of salmonid fishes which is also of value to other sectors and applications such as commercial fisheries and salmon conservation.
4. Number of animals, and what kind:
We will use up to 40 salmon (Salmo salar L.) for our experiments.
5. How to adhere to 3R: Replacement:. Reduction:. Refinement:)
We cannot replace the fish with cell lines or modelling approaches as we want to investigate the behaviour of the fish. The real application of our approach will be related to sea cages, but to reduce the number of animals and gain a higher degree of control, we decided to conduct the experiments in tanks in a laboratory where we can reduce the number of fish used and control all environmental factors. The experiments will be conducted in an environment which was successfully used for salmon before, and the fish will be taken care of by experienced personnel.