The Hidden Toll of Lice (HitLice)
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Funded by The Research Council of Norway.
Collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, NORCE - Norwegian Research Centre AS, Nordland Research Institute, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, University of Bergen and University of Prince Edward Island.
The main objective of Hitlice is to provide an accurate estimate of the relationship between salmon lice and the marine survival of salmon smolts. Specific objectives: • Obtain measurements of direct and indirect mortality due to lice infestation under natural conditions through field experiments. • Provide quantification of mortality and other effects of wild post-smolt in the lab as a function of parasite load and environmental and physiological parameters. • Combine observed return rates of wild Atlantic salmon populations with hydrodynamic and statistical modelling of lice infestation pressure to confirm lab and in situ estimates of lice induced mortality. • To identify, quantify and reduce uncertainty in virtual post-smolt models used to calculate salmon lice-induced mortality at the population level. • To implement a strategy for increasing stakeholders’ mutual understanding of the sea lice challenge and evaluate the increased mutual understanding on perception of management policy legitimacy.
Total award value £28,229.00