My Department in conjunction with the Marine Institute has been implementing a new strategy in the treatment of sea lice for the last three years which is having a beneficial effect. There has been a steady incremental decrease in sea lice infestation levels in Connemara over this period. The site in question is now being managed as part of a suite of sites to ensure separation of generations and fallowing between stocking with new fish.
Over the period from the stocking of the site in late 2009 until it was fallowed in August 2010 following the final harvest of fish, notices to treat were issued by the Marine Institute when either ovigerous or mobile sea lice levels warranted this. On each occasion the farm responded by arranging and carrying out a treatment as advised. A total of five treatments have been documented and it is clear that the farm did indeed carry out these treatments as the resultant reductions in sea lice infestation levels were recorded in subsequent inspections by the Marine Institute.
The full implementation of best practice in regard to sea lice management in Connemara will result in further improvements in sea lice control in the coming growing cycle.