Sterilization of sea lice eggs with ultraviolet C light: towards a new preventative technique for aquaculture

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Sea lice infestations on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) farms are a considerable burden on the industry and put wild salmonid populations at risk. Frequent delousing treatments are necessary to keep lice densities below allowable limits, but currently viable treatments have drawbacks in terms of financial cost, animal welfare, or environmental impacts. We tested if 254 nm ultraviolet C light (UVC) could function as a new preventative method to suppress reproduction of salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) by sterilizing fertilized eggs. We exposed salmon lice eggstrings to a range of UVC intensities and durations to identify effective doses. RESULTS: A cumulative dose of 0.008 J c..