Disease induced by the sea louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) (Copepoda: Caligidae) in wild sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) stocks of Alberni Inlet, British Columbia
Johnson, SC.; Blaylock, RB.; Elphick, J.; Hyatt, KD.
Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 531(2): 2888-2897
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0706-652X Accession: 002803573
The occurrence of L. salmonis and the prevalence of lesions caused by its feeding activities were monitored on O. nerka adults returning to the Sproat and Stamp rivers through the Alberni Inlet, British Columbia, Canada, in 1990 and 1992-1993. All the fish examined were infected with L. salmonis and had higher intensities of infection than had been previously reported. The presence of high numbers of early developmental stages of L. salmonis suggested a high rate of infection for O. nerka in coastal waters. Lesions attributable to L. salmonis ranged from minor skin discoloration to large open lesions that exposed the musculature.