THE ROLE OF SAITHE, POLLACHIUS-VIRENS L, AS A HOST FOR THE SEA LICE, LEPEOPTHEIRUS-SALMONIS KROYER AND CALIGUS-ELONGATUS NORDMANN

The role of saithe, Pollachius virens, as hosts for the sea lice Lepeoptheirus salmonis and Caligus elongatus was investigated. Saithe in the vicinity of sea cages, used for rearing Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, were found to be infested with pre-adult L. salmonis. This represents a new host for L. salmonis. Only C. elongatus was recorded on saithe caught in open sea lochs. In experimental tests L. salmonis regularly transferred between saithe and salmon, and to a lesser extent between salmon and salmon. The movement of L. salmonis between saithe occurred infrequently. C. elongatus also transferred between saithe and salmon, and from salmon to salmon. Moribund salmon and saithe appeared to attract more lice than healthy fish. © 1990.