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Why does the salmon gillworm, a parasite on salmon, pose such a huge threat to the aquaculture industry?
Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) is a marine parasite that lives on salmon, mainly found in salmon and sea bass in the Pacific and Atlantic. The parasite feeds on the mucus, skin and blood of fish and, when shed, drifts like plankton in the wind on the surface of the ocean. When they encounter a suitable marine fish host, they will attach to the skin, fins or gills of the fish. Therefore, the impact of salmon branchworms in the aquaculture industry, especially on salmon, cannot be underestimated.
Through direct parasitism of the host, salmon branch worms cause physical damage, such as broken fins, skin erosion, continuous bleeding and wounds, which provide a way for other pathogens to invade.
The life cycle of salmonids is complex, involving multiple stages of development, from hatchlings (nauplii), to attached larvae (copepodids), to mature adults. Its reproductive capacity is astonishing, and a female salmon branchworm can lay up to a dozen pairs of egg strings during its life cycle. This makes salmonid worms extremely susceptible to rapid reproduction and expansion in marine aquaculture plants.
Investigations have shown that marine aquaculture farms infested with salmon gillworms will not only cause large-scale aquatic losses within a controllable range, because when the infestation is not controlled, a large number of eggs will be spread to the surrounding waters, and eventually Affects surrounding wild fish.
In 2016, it was reported that salmonella infection caused Scotland's salmon industry to lose up to 300 million pounds. This not only put many farmers at risk of bankruptcy, but also caused skin damage and secondary infection of fish. .
Currently, there are many measures to combat salmon branchworms, including the use of genome selection and gene editing technologies (such as CRISPR) to improve the resistance of salmon. These technologies are designed to increase resistance to salmon gillworms, thereby reducing losses during farming in the long term.
However, the diversity and complex reproductive capabilities of salmon branchworms mean that even the most advanced genetic technology may still not be able to completely eliminate the threat posed by this parasite to farmed salmon. These parasites not only affect the farms themselves, but also indirectly threaten the surrounding wild salmon populations, further causing an imbalance in the ecosystem.
Salmon gillworms not only cause physical damage, but may also serve as vectors for other fish diseases, such as infectious salmon anemia, making otherwise healthy fishermen face greater challenges.
In the process of solving the problem of salmon gillworms, scientists are still working hard to find effective solutions. As the demand of the breeding industry gradually increases, the problem of these parasites will not disappear with the advancement of breeding technology. Sustainable farming methods, increased awareness of ecological protection, and new biotechnology are all likely to find the best solution to this problem in the days to come.
So as we think about the impact of salmon farming on ecosystems, should we re-examine our farming practices and consider prioritizing sustainability and ecological conservation?
