Sea Lice 2010

1. What are sea lice?

Sea lice are parasitic copepods that are naturally occurring parasites of salmon, wild and farm, and other fish species. Copepods are crustaceans found in both marine and freshwater environments. Most copepods are free living and as a group represent some 50% of the animals on the planet. Some copepods, like sea lice, have evolved into parasitic forms. The term "sea lice" refers to several species that live on the outside of fish either on skin, eyes, fins, or gills where they feed on the mucous layer or underlying tissue.

2. Why are sea lice important?

First, and foremost, sea lice are a natural and important part of the aquatic ecosystem and a very interesting group of animals. Scientists have been studying parasitic copepods for hundreds of years.

Second, sea lice occur naturally and can be detrimental to wild fish populations, some of which are ecologically, socially and economically important.

Third, sea lice outbreaks on farm salmon can result in significant direct and indirect costs due to decreased growth and survival, and medicines used for treatment and control.

3. Why is the Sea Lice 2010 conference important?

Research on effect of sea lice on other individual aquatic animals, animal populations and ecosystems that has application in all parts of the globe will be shared. Also, current research is clarifying and more clearly describing the complex relationships between sea lice populations on wild and farm fish and this research will be communicated and discussed at the conference.

4. What is the goal of the conference?

The goal of the International Sea Lice Conference series and Sea Lice 2010 is to bring together representatives of international research groups, aquaculture industry, environmental and other interested groups, and regulatory agencies to foster collaboration and communication on sea lice research and management.

5. What main themes/topics will be discussed at the conference?

There has been an evolution of topics since the first conference in the series in Paris in 1992, where sea lice biology and treatment dominated. Main themes that will be discussed at this year's conference will include regional updates, functional biology, epidemiology, mathematical modeling, genetics, management, treatment resistance, and wild-farm fish interactions.

6. When and where will the conference take place?

Sea Lice 2010 will take place from May 9-12^th, 2010 in Victoria, BC, Canada, at the Inn at Laurel Point. The conference is also hosting a workshop on mathematical modeling on May 12 & 13^th.

7. Can anyone attend the conference?

Yes. Anyone currently involved in research or otherwise interested in sea lice biology is welcome to attend. They must register for the conference in order to participate. Registration can be done through the conference web site, www.sealice2010.com. The Modeling Workshop requires a specific registration; however, the workshop is now full and is no longer accepting participants.

8. How can I register for the conference?

Registration for the conference is through the conference website. Those without a computer can make arrangement with the conference manager Linda Hiemstra, Mel Mor Science, at +1-250-751-4862.

9. Why was Victoria chosen to host the conference?

Since the first conference in Paris in 1992 (France), there have been 6 additional conferences: Trondheim '97 (Norway), Amsterdam '98 (Netherlands), Dublin '99 (Ireland), Aberdeen '01 (Scotland), St. Andrews '03 (Canada) and Puerto Varas '08 (Chile). There was strong support among the delegates at the conclusion of the Puerto Varas conference for having the conference in Victoria in 2010 owing to the large body of knowledge from research in British Columbia. Through the research programs at the University of Victoria, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Pacific Biological Station, Institute of Ocean Sciences, Pacific Salmon Forum, and the Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences, BC has become a world leader in sea lice research with many widely recognized fisheries and sea lice experts.

10. Who will be attending the conference?

The conference will primarily be attended by researchers, academics, veterinarians, biologists and government representatives currently working in the fields of research, aquaculture, fisheries and aquaculture management, and public policy.

11. Who will be speaking at the conference?

Presentations will include invited speakers who are top researchers in their respective fields and who will provide keynote addresses to the conference delegates. Presently this includes:

Dr. Geoff Boxshall, The Natural History Museum, London, UK, speaking on: Sea lice biology and emerging issues;
Dr. Tor Horsberg, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway, speaking on: Sea lice treatments: effects, side effects and resistance development;
Dr. Robert Poulin, University of Otago, Otago, New Zealand, speaking on: Evolution of sea lice in salmon farms;
Dr. Richard Beamish, Fisheries and Oceans, Canada, speaking on: Sea lice and salmon.

Other speakers will include researchers and other interested stakeholders who will be presenting papers on their latest research findings.

12. Are you still accepting applications for presentation or papers to be presented at the conference?

No. The call for papers closed on January 8^th, all papers have been reviewed by the conference's Scientific Review Committee and the program has been finalized.

13. Who is the Scientific Review Committee?

The Scientific Review Committee provides input into the program topics and schedule, and reviewed submitted presentation abstracts to ensure that a high standard in the science being presented and discussed is maintained. The committee consists of 24 noted sea lice experts representing 8 countries.

14. Will First Nations be participating in the conference?

As the conference will take place in the traditional territories of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, the Local Organizing Committee has invited representatives from both Nations to address the delegates at the conference. First Nations representatives interested in sea lice research are welcome to register.

15. Will students be participating in the conference?

Yes. Students undertaking research programs at academic institutions are encouraged to attend the conference. Conference organizers have made funds available to students through bursaries to offset travel costs incurred. All students submitting presentations will also automatically be eligible for cash awards for the "Best Student Poster" to encourage excellence in research in young researchers.

16. Can people volunteer to help with the conference?

No. Few volunteers are required for an event of this nature and size. Those that are required are now in place.

17. Will Press be attending the conference?

Press and individuals representing media and other media enterprises are welcome to attend the conference. Accredited media representatives can make arrangements to attend by contacting the conference manager Linda Hiemstra, Mel Mor Science, at +1-250-751-4862, prior to their arrival.

No electronic recording devices are allowed during the presentations and due to limited space in the speaker sessions it is recommended that arrangements to attend are made in advance of the conference.

18. Who is organizing the conference?

The conference is being organized by a Local Organizing Committee consisting of three sea lice experts and a contract conference manager:

Dr. Myron Roth, Ph.D., British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
Dr. Simon Jones, Ph.D., Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Dr. Ben Koop, Ph.D., University of Victoria
Linda Hiemstra, Mel Mor Science (conference manager)

The Local Organizing Committee is supported by a Scientific Review Committee which consists of 24 sea lice experts representing 8 countries.

19. Who is funding the conference?

The conference is being funded by revenue generated from registration fees and sponsorship. All of the sponsors are listed on the conference website at www.sealice2010.com.

20. Will there be any follow-up/published material from the conference?

Yes. Abstracts from all of the material presented at the conference will be collated and published in a book of abstracts for the conference, provided to all delegates attending the conference. In addition, selected full research papers will be published in a Special Edition of the international, peer reviewed scientific journal, Aquaculture, to be edited by Dr. Myron Roth (BC Ministry of Agriculture & Lands) and Dr. Peter Smith (National University of Ireland, Galway).

21. Does the conference have anything to do with regulatory transfer of aquaculture from the British Columbia Provincial Government to the Federal Government, or the recent B.C Privacy Commission ruling on the release of sea lice data from BC salmon farms?

No. The conference focuses on science and research and has no link with local regulatory, legal or legislative processes in host countries. The sea lice conference series has been on-going for 18 years and organization for this conference began shortly after the last conference in early 2008.

22. Who can we speak to for more information about the conference?

Those wishing to speak directly with someone about the conference can contact the conference spokesperson, Dr. Ben Koop, University of Victoria, +1-250-472-4071 or the conference manager Linda Hiemstra, Mel Mor Science, at +1-250-751-4862.

23. Who can I contact about an interview regarding the conference?

The contact for arranging interviews regarding the conference is the conference manager Linda Hiemstra, Mel Mor Science, at +1-250-751-4862.

24. Is there a mailing list for the conference and how can I get on it?

Yes. Anyone can join the conference email list. There is a link on the conference webpage that will automatically add you to it. Alternatively, you can send an email to the conference manager Linda Hiemstra, Mel Mor Science, at sealice2010@shaw.ca. The conference distributes all communications electronically and does not use surface mail.

25. Where can one find information about the conference?

The best place to find information about the conference is to visit the conference website at www.sealice2010.com.