Does the Aquasmart(TM) feeding system reduce sea louse [Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer)] infestation on farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) in winter?

Infections of sea lice [Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer)] were studied over winter on a working, commercial salmon farm in relation to two types of fe eding system: a regular, pneumatic spray feeder and an irregular, 'demand f eed' sensor system (Aquasmart(TM)). Contrary to prediction, the Aquasmart(T M) system alone had no significant effect on chalimus infestation compared with fish fed by pneumatic spray. However, it was associated with significa ntly reduced numbers of mobile stages, both at the beginning of the study ( P < 0.05) and, more particularly, in conjunction with treatment of all pens using hydrogen peroxide (P < 0.001). It is suggested that feeding regime m ay represent a useful tool in reducing lice infestation when co-ordinated w ith other methods of control, such as peroxide treatment, and that further work in this field is merited.