PLANKTONIC DISTRIBUTION OF SEA LICE LARVAE, LEPEOPHTHEIRUS SALMONIS, IN KILLARY HARBOUR, WEST COAST OF IRELAND

摘要

The distribution of Lepeophtheirus salmonis larvae in Killary Harbour was investigated by taking plankton tows from a number of stations on a regular basis during the spring/ summer period in 1995 and 1996. Current patterns, ovigerous lice loads on the resident fish and water temperature and salinity were also recorded during the study. Larvae were only found consistently at a station close to a salmon farm at the mouth of the harbour. In the inner harbour, close to the mouths of two rivers, larvae were recovered in sporadic time blocks. Highest densities of larvae were found at the beginning of the study in both years in the inner harbour with a subsequent decrease in the following months.