Treatment of Sea Lice

SLICE®

Emamectin benzoate (SLICE®) which was available under Emergency Drug Release (EDR) to control sea lice numbers on Atlantic salmon farms, has recently been approved for sale in Canada. It is orally administered and delivered to salmon through fish feed. SLICE® targets developing, immature, and adult stages of sea lice, eliminating them from the fish. Health Canada’s stringent conditions regarding the use of SLICE® assures the safety and quality of the products entering the consumer market. There are no health risks associated with the consumption of SLICE® treated salmon.  Health Canada has approved the commercial sale of SLICE®. As of January 1, 2010, there will be no mandatory withdrawal period (0 days from 68 days) and the maximum residue limit (MRL) will be 100 parts per billion.

AlphaMax ™

In anticipation of growing resistance to SLICE® in sea lice on south-western New Brunswick salmon farms, the province has requested the Canadian Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) of Health Canada to approve the use of the sea lice control chemical, AlphaMax ™ to assist in the management of sea lice on their farms. There is potential that sea lice species common to the east coast of Canada may be becoming resistant to the currently approved SLICE®, which has led to the request to use the alternate treatment method.

While AlphaMax ™ is used successfully in other jurisdictions; concerns may arise about its effect on other marine species and the eco-system in the vicinity of aquaculture cage sites. With this in mind, the release of AlphaMax ™ in the region includes specific environmental requirements, such as research, monitoring, and surveillance as components of proper risk management. PMRA is handling the risk management components, with an emphasis on mitigation of risks and data gathering. Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) role is to provide expert advice and technical guidance on monitoring and any environmental effects. Testing will take place while the pesticide is in use to efficiently observe any negative effects against other species. Should this occur the use of the pesticide would stop immediately.

For more information on the New Brunswick AlphaMax ™  trials visit: http://www.nbsga.com/wharftalk/Alphamax%20Information%20Sheet%20June%2012%2009%20Final-2.pages.pdf

For more information on SLICE® treatments visit: http://www.al.gov.bc.ca/ahc/fish_health/Sealice/AAVBC_Slice_Info.pdf