Dispersion and abundance of salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) in a Norwegian fjord system

Abstract

Based on numerical results of currents from a high resolution fjord model, dispersion of salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) in the Hardangerfjord has been modelled. The results show that salmon lice abundance in the fjord have large spatial and temporal variations. Still, enlarged densities of salmon lice occur in certain areas, especially along shores, in bays and in narrows. If there exist a critical dose of salmon lice copepodid density necessary to infect the salmonid fish, the model results of salmon lice dispersion can be used to design a management strategy for salmon aquaculture.