© Cermaq
The Ahousaht First Nation, Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society and Cermaq Canada are proud to share the results of years of collaborative advancement in sea lice management of Cermaq Canada’s operations in Ahousaht Territory, where a full production cycle of salmon having been grown to harvest without the need for sea lice treatment using mechanical delousing has just been completed.
“As Cermaq completes its first production (22 months from entry to harvest) with zero mechanical delousing treatments since the introduction of mechanical delousing in 2020, I am filled with resolve that when First Nations leadership is central to resource business decision making the result is beneficial to all involved – especially the long-term health and prosperity of our traditional waters in this case,” said Richard George, board member Hasheukumiss, Ahousaht, in a press release.
“This phenomenal result has been the culmination of joint efforts of MHSS and Cermaq Canada to first identify a clear goal that respected the Ahousaht First Nation’s knowledge of their lands and waters and what would be required of our company to operate within their Hahulli,” added David Kiemele, managing director, Cermaq Canada.
In 2022, Cermaq Canada conducted 56 mechanical delousing treatments to maintain an annual lice level of 1.93. Over the last 12 months Cermaq has conducted 0 treatments and maintained a lice level of 0.30. DFO regulations stipulate that sea lice levels must be below the threshold of 2.8 motile lice during the outmigration. During the remainder of the year, if the threshold is exceeded the operator must notify the department and provide a mitigation plan. Ahousaht’s Protocol Agreement with Cermaq Canada stipulates that sea lice levels must not exceed 1.5 motile lice during the outmigration and 2.5 lice through the remainder of the year.
Sea lice are naturally occurring parasites of wild and farmed salmon. The reduction of lice within a farm setting contributes to lower overall numbers in the region as well as contributing to better overall welfare outcomes for Cermaq’s farmed fish. The combination of practical and achievable technologies implemented across Cermaq Canada’s marine farming operations in Ahousaht Territory along with the implementation of management and operational practices have all helped contribute to this significant decline in sea lice numbers on all farms operating in the Ahousaht Territory.
