Integrated Pest Management Program for Sea Lice in New Brunswick

Transcription

1 Integrated Pest Management Program for Sea Lice in New Brunswick World Aquaculture Society Meeting February 25, 2013 Nashville, TN Kathy Brewer-Dalton New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries

2 Introduction Outline Goal Components Value of an IPMP Framework Conclusions

3 Introduction Up until the Fall of 2008 the salmon aquaculture industry in New Brunswick was able to control sea lice populations through best management practices and the use of an in-feed product called SLICE (emamectin benzoate) Singular use of this product has caused sea lice populations to become tolerant That prompted both levels of government and industry to explore use of alternative bath treatments and develop an IPMP for sea lice

4 Goal The goal of the NB Integrated Pest Management Plan is to provide a sciencebased management framework for the prevention, research, monitoring and control strategies required to manage sea lice. The plan gives fish farmers and aquatic veterinarians a defined framework for effective control of sea lice on farms and must consider the environment and potential impacts on nontarget organisms and commercial fisheries.

5 Components There are 3 Major components of the IPMP: 1. Prevention & Control Measures 2. Monitoring 3. Data Collection and Analysis

6 1. Prevention and Control Measures Non-Chemotherapuetant Control Strategies Chemotherapeutant Control Strategies Treatment Strategies

7 Non-Chemotherapeutant Control Farm Siting (Bay Management Areas) Year Class Separation Fallowing Other Non-Chemotheraputant Strategies: Cleaner fish Sea lice traps New technologies (well boats, immunostimulants, etc.)

8 Chemotherapeutant Control As with other food producing sectors access to a variety of compounds is fundamental to IPMP Treatments (In-feed & topical) Treatment strategies Treatment Thresholds Product Rotation Farm Based & Area Based Treatments Seasonal Treatments

9 2. Monitoring On Farm Sea Lice Monitoring: Annual Sea Lice Management and Treatment Plan Standardized Sampling/Counting Protocols Counting frequency Reporting of Sea Lice Counts Auditing Training and Education Bioassays and Treatment Efficacy Monitoring

10 Monitoring Continued Monitoring Treatment Efficacy and Resistance Evaluation of treatment efficacy Evaluation of the timing of a sea lice treatment (s) within areas Tolerance to chemotherapeutants Best Management practices

11 Other Monitoring Environmental Monitoring to Support Regulatory Approvals Benthic / Cumulative / Non-target Species Research & Scientific Monitoring Evolving process Coordinated, collaborative progams Regulatory Environmental Dynamics Fish Health Novel / Green Technology

12 3. Data Collection and Analysis Decision Support System (DSS) All encompassing database that will allow, farm management, veterinarians, epidemiologists, researchers and decision makers to: Analyze sea lice dynamics and trends Analyze treatment efficacy Identify early signs of resistance Analyze regional differences Determine what the best treatment option or strategy will be

13 Other Components of the IPMP Occupational Safety Animal Welfare Food Safety IPMP Management: Collaborative Process Continual Improvement Communication: Engagement and participation of key stakeholders including regulators, salmon farmers, fish health experts, fishery organizations and the marine resource user community at large.

14 Value of a IPMP Framework A regional approach to an IPMP framework can: Support the introduction of new treatment products critical to effective control and management of sea lice. Support collaborative scientific research and monitoring Support continuous improvements in management, application of new technologies and introduction of new treatments products. Supports communication between industry and community stakeholders.

15 In Conclusion IPMP: Cannot depend on a single, static pest management regime, but requires a combination of treatment compounds and management strategies Can support ongoing evaluation of sea lice control methods at the farm level and at the area level Can support ongoing research and investment in new treatment and management options and in new technology Can provide a framework for dialogue between stakeholders.