New Brunswick Integrated Pest Management Plan for Sea Lice

*Please note, the following information is from the New Brunswick Provincial Government

October 31, 2011

Table of Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Communication
• 3. Roles and Responsibilities
• 4. Goal
• 5. Principles
• 6. Components of an Integrated Pest Management Plan
  • A. Prevention and Control Measures
    • Non-Chemotheraputant Controls
    • Chemotheraputant Controls
    • Treatment Strategies
  • B. Monitoring
    • On-Farm Sea Lice Monitoring
    • Monitoring Treatment Efficacy and Resistance
    • Environmental Monitoring
    • Research and Scientific Monitoring
  • C. Data Collection and Analysis
• 7. Occupational Health & Safety
• 8. Animal Welfare
• 9. Food Safety
• 10. IPMP Management

1. Introduction

The farming of Atlantic salmon was initiated in New Brunswick with the first marine trials being conducted in 1979.  Today the industry is recognized as a significant contributor to local economies and the provincial GDP. In 2009, production was estimated at 24,000 tonnes, providing employment for 2000 people, located predominantly in rural coastal communities.  Salmon is the second largest seafood product exported from New Brunswick with farm gate sales estimated at $159M in 2009.  Farm operations are located in the southwestern region of the province in the Fundy Iles (see attached map).

Over the last thirty years the industry has responded to a number of fish health challenges, including Infectious Salmon Anemia (ISA), Bacterial Kidney Disease (BKD) and the control and management of sea lice. Sea lice are parasitic copepods of salmon and other fish species that are naturally present in the marine environment. To manage sea lice, the salmon aquaculture industry began using SLICE®, an in-feed product, in 2000. However, in 2008 reduced efficacy of SLICE® became apparent, and the need to access alternative treatments for use as part of an integrated pest management approach was identified.

If sea lice are not effectively managed, the economic impact to salmon aquaculture is significant. Impacts include lack of growth, and suppression of the immune system, which can result in other diseases and/or mortality.

The New Brunswick Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP) for Sea Lice provides a comprehensive, strategic framework that promotes the health and welfare of cultured Atlantic salmon, while minimizing potential impacts to wild aquatic resources in the surrounding environment.

The IPMP includes prevention, research, monitoring (observation), and chemotheraputant and non-chemotheraputant control measures (intervention).  It promotes access to a variety of management tools, as well as strategic and synchronized treatment plans to ensure optimal benefit of each treatment and minimize environmental exposure.  This will not only reduce farm-level sea lice populations, but also result in an overall reduction of treatments and chemotheraputants used and their release into the aquatic ecosystem. 

This plan encourages continuous improvements in management, the application of new technologies, and the introduction of new products as new information and science advances become available.  This will ensure management tools remain effective while reducing potential impact to the environment and wild resources.

2. Communication

While the IPMP is critical for the salmon farming industry’s effective control and management of sea lice, it will be important for regulators, fishermen, tourism operators and other community stakeholders to understand the goals and principles of the plan.  It will also be important for all parties to understand their obligations and responsibilities under the IPMP. 

Stakeholder engagement, dialogue and communication with these sectors and/or individuals can be achieved through a variety of avenues such as: the National Aquatic Animal Health Steering Committee, the Marine Finfish Development Committee, and the Traditional Fishery and Aquaculture Working Group.  In addition, information meetings and research workshops can also serve as a means to facilitate dialogue and feedback between the various parties and to seek input into the development of IPMP amendments, provide information on the results of research and scientific monitoring, obtain suggestions and/or collaboration for future research, discuss emerging new technology, etc.     Other avenues for outreach to communities will also be identified and utilized as appropriate.

3. Roles and Responsibilities

The success of an Integrated Pest Management Plan relies on the cooperation of both federal and provincial government agencies, veterinarians, industry and other stakeholders. The fundamental roles of government in fish production are to support fish health management, public health and environmental protection. In addition, each of the legislative agencies is responsible for the enforcement of their regulatory mandates.  Below is a summary of the roles and responsibilities of each party in relation to the IPMP:

Stakeholder engagement, dialogue and communication with these sectors and/or individuals can be achieved through a variety of avenues such as: the National Aquatic Animal Health Steering Committee, the Marine Finfish Development Committee, and the Traditional Fishery and Aquaculture Working Group. In addition, information meetings and research workshops can also serve as a means to facilitate dialogue and feedback between the various parties and to seek input into the development of IPMP amendments, provide information on the results of research and scientific monitoring, obtain suggestions and/or collaboration for future research, discuss emerging new technology, etc. Other avenues for outreach to communities will also be identified and utilized as appropriate.

Salmon Farming Industry – Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA):

The salmon farming companies will provide the information necessary to regulators as part of their licence obligations.  Through the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association (ACFFA), the industry will conduct periodic (at least annual) reviews of current sea lice management practices and treatment strategies in collaboration with veterinarians, fish health professionals and regulators. Changes in management practices based on new information will be provided to stakeholders.  Annual treatment plans based on analysis of efficacy data will be provided to regulators and other stakeholders. The salmon farming industry will also collaborate with a range of stakeholders on research, scientific monitoring and the development of new technologies.

NB Licensed Veterinarians:

Veterinarians, licensed by the NB Veterinary Medical Association to practice in the province of New Brunswick, are responsible for advising on all aspects of diagnosis prevention, mitigation, treatment and managing livestock health, including prescribing all treatments for sea lice. The veterinary-client-patient (i.e. case) relationship is a critical component of sea lice management and food safety.  Veterinarians are involved in all aspects of the decision-making and policy direction.  At the farm level, the New Brunswick Provincial Fish Health Policy requires all sites to have an attending veterinarian that makes site visits every four to six weeks. 

NB Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries (DAAF):

The New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries (NB DAAF) has the legislative authority and responsibility for aquaculture development and fish health management under the Aquaculture Act and Regulations. The New Brunswick Integrated Pest Management Plan for Sea Lice provides the framework for effective management of sea lice as part of overall fish health management.

NB Department of Environment (DENV):

The New Brunswick Department of Environment (NB DENV) regulates the sale and use of pest control products in New Brunswick under the Pesticides Control Act.  The aim of the legislation is to ensure that products are used, stored and disposed of, and that there is minimum impact to non-target species, human health or the environment. The department is responsible for the licensing of vendors, issuance of permits to fish farmers’ (permits), and for the certification of the individual applicators in the control of sea lice. Inspections and monitoring activities are undertaken by the department to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of permits or approvals.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO):

DFO is accountable for the Fisheries Act which provides the legal framework for regulating impacts to fish and fish habitat associated with works and undertakings occurring in or around fresh and marine waters in Canada.  The Act’s sections 34 – 42 assign powers, authorities and duties to regulate impacts to fish and fish habitat, destruction of fish by means other than fishing, and pollution prevention in waters frequented by fish. DFO administers the Fish Habitat Protection Provisions of the Act, and has the right to take actions under section 36.

In terms of integrated pest management, DFO, through scientific research, provides expert advice and technical guidance to federal and provincial departments and industry on monitoring protocols and environmental effects of products used for pest management. 

Environment Canada (EC):

Environment Canada has responsibility for the administration and enforcement of sub-section 36(3) of the Fisheries Act, which prohibits the deposit of deleterious substances into water frequented by fish, unless authorized by regulation under this Act. Environment Canada also has responsibilities under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999, part 7, regarding Disposal at Sea, which must be considered with respect to some pest management activities in the aquaculture industry.

Enforcement officers are responsible to verify compliance through inspections. On-site inspections focus on usage of chemotheraputants and are conducted with the cooperation and support of provincial and federal regulatory partners. 

Environment Canada carries out many pesticide-related activities in coordination with the Pest Management Regulatory Agency and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Health Canada (HC):

Health Canada is responsible for federal regulation of both veterinary drugs under the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) and pest control products (pesticides) under the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Chemotheraputants used in controlling pest problems in aquaculture fall into these categories:

• The Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is responsible for the regulation of pesticides and under the PCPA has the mandate to prevent unacceptable risk to people and the environment from the use of pest control products.  This includes undertaking science based health and environmental risk assessments, as well as considering value of products.  PMRA also undertakes compliance and enforcement activities related to pest control products.

• Veterinary Drugs Directorate (VDD) is responsible for the regulation of veterinary drugs.  Under the Food and Drugs Act and Regulations the VDD evaluates and monitors the safety, quality and effectiveness, sets standards and promotes the prudent use of veterinary drugs administered to food-producing and companion animals.

Other Stakeholders:

Other interested stakeholders (e.g. traditional fisheries and ENGO’s) will have opportunities to provide input and receive feedback on the development and implementation of this overarching IPMP through a systematic communications plan that will be developed by government, stakeholders and industry.

4. Goal

The goal of this Integrated Pest Management Plan is to provide a science-based 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 non-target organisms and commercial fisheries.

5.  Principles

 
The IPMP is based on the following principles:

• Reduction in the use of chemotheraputants to:
  • avoid development of resistance in targeted parasites;
  • minimize potential environmental residues; and
  • minimize potential effects on non-target organisms and other wild populations.
• All treatments will be consistent with the relevant legislation and regulations;
• Risk assessments and environmental monitoring will be conducted as part of the authorization process for all chemotheraputants;
• The IPMP will not depend on a single pest management regime, but a combination of management approaches for prevention and a variety of treatment products/tools that take into consideration any potential effects on the environment including non-target organisms;
• There will be responsible (used under direction of a veterinarian as  per regulatory requirements) use of chemotherapeutants, and products will be used as required;
• All chemotherapeutants must be administered as directed by  a veterinarian;
• Data will be submitted to a central data base to support ongoing evaluation from both a management and regulatory perspective and refinement of the IPMP;
• Ongoing evaluation of sea lice control methods must be incorporated at the farm level and at the area level;
• There will be ongoing investigation, research, and investment in new technology, and green and preventative management options;
• Further evaluation of  sea lice dynamics and their potential effects on wild populations  must be assessed;
• Advanced strategic  planning to reduce the need for emergency registration of products; and
• Promoting dialogue between industries and stakeholders.

6.  Components of an Integrated Pest Management Plan

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an evolving program for controlling pests that emphasizes minimizing the need for treatment, effective control and sustainable production. Control measures are applied one or more times as appropriate during the life cycle of the pest in an integrated approach in support of health and animal welfare, environmental and economic objectives. The IPMP sets out short term goals such as the use of treatment thresholds that address socio-economic and animal welfare concerns  and the disruption of sea lice life cycles, and long term goals such as managing chemotheraputant resistance and ensuring environmentally sustainable management protocols.

Production sites can develop site specific control measures that also support IPM plans coordinated at the regional or industry wide level. This requires good communication and coordination among stakeholders, including government agencies and the development of an Integrated Pest Management Plan.

IPM plans are characterized by the collection and analysis of large amounts of information about production, pests and the environment. This information directs daily decisions on pest management and supports food traceability, environmental regulation, research and the development of a pest management plan. Pests and production methods constantly change and Integrated Pest Management Plans are dynamic and must be reviewed, altered and developed to meet these challenges. 

IPM plans are designed around several basic components:

Acceptable sea lice levels: The emphasis is on control, not eradication. IPM recognizes that wiping out an entire pest population is often impossible, and the attempt can be economically expensive, environmentally unsafe, and frequently unachievable.

Monitoring: Regular observation is the cornerstone of IPM. Visual inspection and other measurement methods and monitoring tools are used to monitor sea lice levels. Monitoring is also needed to track the efficacy of any control measures. In the case of aquaculture, which relies on a shared resource (the sea), on going monitoring and surveillance of ecosystem (environmental) health is a necessary component.
 
Fish farming practices: Selecting best practices to reduce potential for infestation. Such practices could include decreased stocking densities, fallowing, synchronized treatments and other appropriate management measures.

Non–chemotheraputant control methods: Use of non-chemical methods aimed at helping to manage sea lice infestation.

Chemotheraputant control methods: Chemotheraputants are used in a responsible manner, as required and only at specific times in a pest's life cycle.  Application methods seek to limit or decrease the release of chemotheraputants into the environment.  The following sections outline the specific component initiatives that will be undertaken.

A.  PREVENTION AND CONTROL MEASURES

Non-Chemotherapeutant Controls

Non-chemotherapeutant control strategies are an important component of the IPMP that include mechanisms, tools and methods used to control sea lice that do not involve the use of chemotheraputants.  Examples of current practices that support non-chemotheraputant control include, but are not limited to, the following:

(i) Farm Operations

New Brunswick has adopted the Aquaculture Bay Management Area (ABMA) system that is based on single-year class farms and designated areas, fallowing, and biosecurity protocols. The boundaries of each ABMA are based on a combination of oceanographic and fish health considerations. Additional oceanographic studies relative to currents, water exchange and ownership of sites may result in further refinement of these boundaries.

(ii)     Year-Class Separation

The practice of stocking one year-class of Atlantic salmon on individual farms and in designated bay areas will be maintained in order to minimize the inter-generational transfer of lice (e.g. the impact of pre-market salmon that harbour sea lice on newly placed smolts).

(iii)       Fallowing

The ABMA production system requires each farm to have a minimum 4 month fallow period, with a minimum synchronized bay wide fallow period of two months.

The fallowing of farms and Aquaculture Bay Management Areas exist and will be maintained to support breaking disease cycles between successive crops of fish within the same management area.  Fallowing practices may be refined in the future based on environmental monitoring and analysis of sea lice populations and dynamics that could result from the DSS and other research.

(iv)       Other Non-Chemotherapeutant Control Strategies

 A number of non-chemical control strategies such as cleaner fish and lice traps, are being investigated to determine their efficacy in controlling on-farm sea lice.    In addition, vaccination, nutrition, immunostimulants and farm management practices (e.g., changing site selection criteria or site separation) are being explored.  All new strategies will be implemented when proven effective. 

Chemotherapeutant Controls

Access to a variety of chemotheraputants or class of compounds is fundamental to an IPMP in order to minimize the risk of resistance to a product developing and to ensure optimal efficacy by using the correct product based on the life stage of the louse. When selecting a chemotheraputant product to control sea lice the attending veterinarian and farmer will take into consideration a number of factors including: environmental factors, impact to the receiving area, regulatory authorizations and legislative requirements.

Fish health professionals, farmers and regulators will work together on an ongoing basis to monitor and evaluate emerging chemotheraputants that could be pursued for use in Canada to reduce the possibility of tolerance to individual products.

Treatments

While chemotheraputants are only used as required; they are a necessary component to an effective IPMP. Treatments are administered either as an in-feed treatment or as a bath treatment. All treatments are administered under a veterinarian prescription and are approved through Health Canada.

Fish farmers must prepare an Annual Sea Lice Management and Treatment Plan. This plan must be submitted to the New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries by January 31st of each calendar year. Minimal elements of this plan must include: products that may potentially be used, estimated treatment timing and appropriate notification to regulatory authorities. Other treatment notifications may be developed based on stakeholder dialogue.

• In-Feed Sea Lice Treatments
  These theraputants are added to the fish feed at the feed mill.

• Sea Lice Bath Treatments
  Topical sea lice baths can be administered to fish in three ways.  One option is to pump the fish into a fully contained well boat for a sea lice bath treatment.  Another option involves administering a bath treatment where the net and fish are completely enclosed with a tarp or where a skirt is wrapped around the perimeter of the net pen. The fully enclosed systems, particularly the well boats, provide a predictable treatment volume for more precise control of product concentration for a more effective treatment. These systems reduce the amount of product required per treatment and minimize the deposit of residual product into the marine environment and the impact on non-target species.

Treatment Strategies

The IPMP supports application of all management options. Control strategies are developed through a collaborative process with industry, veterinarians and regulators.  Treatment options will be based on the life stage of the sea louse, size of fish to be treated and environmental conditions (i.e. water temperature, time of year, physical accessibility of the farm, etc.) and regulatory conditions associated with use of treatment products.

Control strategies will consider:

(i)         Treatment Thresholds

A treatment threshold is the maximum abundance of sea lice before treatment is required.  In setting thresholds factors that are considered include the average number of sea lice per fish and/or the life stage and sex of the louse (i.e. gravid females). Thresholds may vary from year to year and will be set based on recommendations by veterinarians, fish health professionals, industry, and regulators.

Treatment thresholds are dynamic guidelines and are based on:

• the unique ecosystem conditions of the farm site;
• environmental factors such as water temperature, time of year;
• the presence of wild fish and/or their life stage;
• the chemotheraputant recommended for use;
• farmed fish health and welfare;
• minimizing area-based sea lice impact on farmed and wild fish; and
• available products.

(ii)       Product Rotation

Product rotation is the strategic use of various chemotheraputants and is a critical component of the IPMP. By alternating the use of chemotheraputants, the possibility of resistance is reduced which consequently prolongs the life and use of each product. 

Veterinary decisions concerning product rotation will consider the available chemotheraputants, regulatory limitations, bioassay data, treatment efficacy data, environmental conditions, method of treatment, sea lice life stage, the size of the fish to be treated, and the presence of non-target species.

Product rotation requires access to a variety of products with different modes of action which have been approved by the appropriate regulatory agency.

(iii)       Area Based Treatments

It is thought that area-based treatments are considered to be more effective than site-by-site treatments in controlling sea lice; however, current authorizations limit the application of this approach.  In the future, analysis of data from various sources may support the approval for area based treatment decisions. Area based treatments would involve the coordination and/or synchronization of treatments at multiple farms that are located in a specified area. 

(iv)       Farm-Based Treatments

Farm-based treatments would involve coordination and/or synchronization of treatments on cages at a farm site. This strategy will lead to decreased risk of sea lice tolerance/resistance to the theraputant. 

(v)        Seasonal Treatments

A number of variables involved in a treatment are affected by the temperature of the water.  The length of the sea lice life cycle and reproduction is influenced by water temperatures.  Likewise treatment efficacy and potential adverse reactions of fish to treatments, such as handling related stress and mortality, are temperature related.  Strategic treatments timed to lower lice numbers prior to cold or warm water periods may be appropriate to maintain healthy fish stocks.  Seasonal treatments will play an important role in the development of treatment strategies.

B.  MONITORING

An important component of any integrated pest management program is the use and incorporation of monitoring and surveillance from a number of different perspectives into the on-going management of pest problems.  Integration of information collected as a feed back into the on-going management of pest problems is key to ensuring a sustainable pest management approach.  Key areas for monitoring include monitoring for pest levels to help inform treatment strategies, monitoring for treatment efficacy (to avoid resistance), monitoring and surveillance of the environment as well as research and scientific monitoring to support the evolution of sea lice management.

On Farm Sea Lice Monitoring

An on-farm sea lice monitoring program is fundamental in order to understand sea lice dynamics on farms and to make informed decisions on the best options for treatment. The Province of New Brunswick, in collaboration with industry, has developed a “Sea Lice Monitoring Program for Marine Salmon Aquaculture Sites in New Brunswick”. This program sets out requirements for the following components:

• i. Annual Sea Lice Management and Treatment Plan
• ii. Standardized Sampling /Counting Protocols
• iii. Counting Frequency
• iv. Reporting Lice Counts
• v. Auditing
• vi. Training and Education
• vii. Bioassays and  Treatment Efficacy Monitoring

(i) Annual Sea Lice Management and Treatment Plan

The goal of the Annual Sea Lice Management and Treatment Plan is to maintain sea lice numbers below an agreed upon threshold that is intended to prevent the spread of lice to other farms and to reduce potential impact to wild stocks.

Prior to January 31st of each year a sea lice management and treatment plan will be developed by industry in collaboration with veterinarians, fish health professionals, provincial and federal agencies. The plan will follow the principles of the Integrated Pest Management Plan for Sea Lice, federal and provincial regulations for fish health management and the activities outlined in the Sea Lice Monitoring Program.

Other stakeholders will be provided an opportunity to comment on the Annual Sea Lice Management and Treatment Plan. 

(ii) Standard Sampling/Counting Protocols

Detailed counts will be conducted using a standardized sampling / counting protocol as defined in the “Standardized Sea Lice Sampling Protocols for New Brunswick”. This protocol outlines the minimum number of cages, fish and sea lice life stages to be referenced.

(iii) Counting Frequency

Weekly counts are required when water temperatures reach a designated threshold (e.g. 50C) in the spring and continue until temperatures drop below the threshold. Once temperatures fall below the threshold monthly counts are required. A sea lice count must be conducted as close as possible, within 1 week prior, to the start of any treatment. Sea lice counts must follow standard sampling protocols as identified in Section 1 of the Sea Lice Monitoring Program for Marine Salmon Aquaculture in New Brunswick.

(iv) Reporting Lice Counts

Scheduled counts will be submitted in the prescribed format to the database referred to as the Decision Support System (DSS), managed by an independent, qualified third party.

Aquaculture licence holders are required to submit sea lice counts as defined in the Sea Lice Monitoring Program, under the auspices of the New Brunswick Aquaculture Act and General Regulations. Licence holders are also required to confirm that scheduled counts were completed and submitted to the DSS and comply with any approvals issued by the N.B. Department of Environment under the auspices of the Pesticides Control Act.

(v) Auditing Lice Counts

Audits of on farm sea lice counts will be completed by an independent, qualified third party on at least 60% of active sites at least twice per year. The first audit will take place between April 15 and August 31; the second audit will take place between September 1 and December 20. 

(vi) Training and Education

Aquaculture Licence holders are responsible to ensure their staff are properly trained and certified to conduct sea lice counts on their farms. The aim of certification is to ensure that all data being provided to the third party DSS is consistent between all farms.  Sea lice counters will have basic knowledge and understanding of sea lice biology and various life stages as well as proficiency in recording lice counts and stage differentiation.  Annual re-assessment is strongly recommended with re-training provided when necessary.

(vii) Bioassays and Treatment Efficacy Monitoring

Bioassays will be required (i.e. once per year, per product, per area) in order to monitor the lice response to treatment and to detect signs of tolerance as early as possible.  

Monitoring Treatment Efficacy and Resistance

The IPMP is based on an understanding of the efficacy of sea lice management and control tools while ensuring the avoidance of tolerance to an individual treatment compound. Monitoring will include the analysis of data obtained through pre and post treatment sea lice counts and bioassays. 

(i) Evaluation of treatment efficacy

• Pre and post sea lice treatment counts will be submitted to the central database by all farms.
• Treatment data submitted to the database will include product used, dose, treatment dates (first and last day) and any other relevant information or observations.
• Ongoing data analysis will enable current and historical information and trends to be evaluated with respect to:
  • efficacy of a single treatment, or combined treatment strategies;
  • efficacy compared to similar treatments on other sites/areas;
  • efficacy compared to other treatment compounds;
  • efficacy compared to other years;
  • efficacy of selected/attained dosage levels;
  • temperature, stocking rates, water volumes; and
  • efficacy of hatchery treatments.

(ii) Evaluation of the timing of a sea lice treatment(s) within areas

The collection and evaluation of sea lice data and treatment information from all marine sites will permit the evaluation and comparison of the effect of the timing of the administration of a sea lice treatment(s) within an ABMA, within sub-zone and/or by season or within a calendar year.

Evaluations will provide information for the development of industry management practices, as well as inform treatment thresholds and future treatment strategies.

Development of treatment schedules will include dialogue with other stakeholders.

(iii) Tolerance to Chemotheraputants

The IPMP provides a framework to lessen the likelihood of developing tolerance to chemotheraputants.

The sea lice data base (DSS) serves as a repository for all sea lice monitoring and treatment data.  Analyses using this database may allow early detection of possible tolerance development and thus enable an avoidance of resistance to treatment products by changing treatment strategies.

(iv) Best Management Practices (BMPs)

Industry best management practices will be developed and implemented for all sea lice products and the method of treatment (i.e. well boat, tarps, in-feed).  These practices would include:

• Both bath and in-feed treatments must be used according to label directions established by Health Canada and the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure optimal use of the product at the prescribed dose and treatment duration;
• Standardized treatment application protocols for each method of treatment will be developed and documented; and
• Periodic reviews will be conducted by veterinarians, the aquaculture industry and appropriate government agencies and used to inform revisions to BMPs and/or the treatment strategy for the coming year.

Environmental Monitoring

For chemotheraputants, monitoring and surveillance in the environment may be required as part of the initial regulatory authorizations (e.g. emergency drug release or emergency registrations of pest control products) for sea lice treatment products. New authorizations often require specific scientific monitoring to better characterize potential environmental risks and to ensure risks to the marine environment and/or non-target organisms are understood and considered prior to full product registration.  Depending on the situation there may also be the need for monitoring for compliance purposes.

Environmental monitoring following initial authorizations could include, but is not limited to:

• Monitoring concentrations of chemotheraputants in various environmental media (e.g. benthic sediment, water column, etc.) both immediately following treatments and/or over a season.  Seasonal monitoring may have temporal and spatial components considered;
• Monitoring cumulative effects of residual products; and
• Monitoring for potential effects on non-target organisms (e.g. lobster) during chemotheraputant application.

Monitoring and surveillance of the environment and non-target species over several seasons is desirable to ensure long term sustainability of the IPMP. 

Some elements are not specific to a sea lice IPMP and would need to take advantage of other programs monitoring overall ecosystem health.  At this point there is no identified program for longer term monitoring.  Such a program might include:

• Ongoing surveillance of chemotheraputant concentrations in various environmental media (e.g. benthic sediment, water column, etc) with appropriate temporal and spatial components considered. Monitoring efforts on chemotheraputants in different medium should be informed by the specific chemical properties;
• Monitoring cumulative effects of residual products; and
• Ongoing surveillance of ecosystem health (e.g. health of non-target species) in areas of use.

Research and Scientific Monitoring

Integrated pest management uses both chemotherapeutant and non-chemotherapeutant control methods to manage sea lice.  An IPMP should not be considered a static plan or set of procedures, but rather an evolving process utilizing knowledge from a range of sources which would include veterinary evaluation, scientific research, environmental monitoring, bioassay results, treatment efficacy data, stakeholder discussions, etc.  Research will also support the introduction of new non-chemotherapeutant or chemotherapeutant control methods and/or new technology.

It is acknowledged that regulators, the salmon farming industry and others will have individual needs for research, monitoring and the development and introduction of new technologies.  Whenever possible, research should be encouraged as part of a coordinated, collaborative research program that brings together researchers from federal and provincial regulatory bodies, academia, private sector researchers, conservation groups and fishing/aquaculture industry representatives.

Research themes can include: 

(i)  Regulatory Research – research and monitoring in this area will be used as part of the ongoing evaluation of the IPMP and will also support the regulatory risk assessments of chemotheraputants.  It will also provide the necessary information to evaluate the licensing of the various sea lice treatments.   

(ii)  Environmental Dynamics - research supports increased understanding of sea lice biology and dynamics.  Environmental research may include work that will contribute to improved farm management practices (i.e. fallowing, treatment timing etc) as well as ecosystem based research. It should be noted that environmental research will also be gained through research within the regulatory, management practices, and modeling sections.

(iii) Fish Health / Management Practices – research and risk factor studies provide the knowledge necessary to support optimal use of sea lice treatment products, environmental sustainability and to inform farm management and treatment decisions.

(iv) Novel Treatments/Green Technology – research in this area will include the exploration of non-chemotheraputant treatment options in the management of sea lice including new technologies. 

(v) Modeling – will include both hydrological/environmental modeling and the development and analysis of data within the DSS which houses the sea lice data obtained through regular on-farm sea lice monitoring and bioassays.

C.  DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The development and utilization of a centralized data base or Decision Support System (DSS) will provide a platform for the critical collection and analysis of sea lice, fish health and environmental data. This is a crucial element for the continuous improvement of an effective IPMP.

The DSS will serve as a central repository for information related to the IPMP including sea lice counts, bioassay data and treatment data. The system will generate timely and appropriate reports that can be used by veterinarians, designated fish health personnel, decision makers, regulatory officials and farm managers to improve sea lice control/management and identify potential trends.

Publically accessible reports will be made available.  

The DSS will enable designated epidemiologists, researchers, decision makers, regulatory officials and attending veterinarians to:

• Analyze sea lice dynamics and trends;
• Assess treatment efficacy;
• Identify early signs of resistance of sea lice to specific chemotheraputants/treatments/regions;
• Recognize regional differences in sea lice and treatment efficacy;
• Determine if synchronized treatment strategies are a viable control option for specific scenarios; and
• Understand factors influencing sea lice infection, with treatment efficacy and with tolerance/resistance.

The DSS supports the ongoing evaluation of the IPMP and continuous improvement of the various components of the IPMP, especially in the area of chemotheraputant selection and treatment protocols.  It can also provide regulators with the information necessary to audit regulatory compliance.

7.  Occupational Health & Safety

Ensuring the proper use and handling of products is a priority of industry and regulators.  With respect to worker safety all bath treatments authorized by the Pest Management Regulatory Agency are subject to provincial authorization under the Pesticides Control Act administered by the Department of Environment.  The act clearly identifies requirements for storage and employee training to ensure a high level of safety to persons handling and undertaking treatments.  All individuals handling pesticides must be certified (through examination) and to conduct treatments under the more restrictive of a product label’s directions or of the terms and conditions of the pesticide permit.

Farm sites conducting sea lice bath treatments must flag the site accordingly to inform other stakeholders that treatments are underway and/or that have taken place within the last 24 hours.

8.  Animal Welfare

The decision to undertake a treatment or implement farm management practices is underpinned on promoting acceptable animal welfare conditions.

Canada has legislation that pertains to animal welfare.  In New Brunswick, Animal Protection Officers under the employ of the New Brunswick Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals enforce provincial animal protection.

9. Food Safety

Health Canada’s Veterinary Drug Directorate (VDD) and the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) conduct risk assessments for all chemotherapeutants and drugs on human health.  As a result, all approvals for the use of sea lice treatments will include the determination of a regulated withdrawal period between time of treatment and fish harvest.  Food safety is further protected through third party fish health auditing programs and testing by government agencies such as the CFIA.  The CFIA's inspection program routinely monitors commercially sold aquaculture products to verify that the residue limits established by Health Canada have not been exceeded.  

10.  IPMP Management

The development and implementation of the IPMP is a collaborative process between both levels of government, industry, and fish health professionals and pertinent stakeholders (e.g. traditional fishery groups and ENGO’s).  The IPMP will support continuous periodic monitoring, evaluation and improvement.  This will include a review of the annual treatment strategies at the farm and, where appropriate, area levels by the industry, fish health professionals, stakeholders and regulators.

The IPMP will be reviewed annually to ensure it continues to meet its goals and principles. An annual IPMP performance report will be developed, completed and made publically available by January 31 of each calendar year.