| Have you ever noticed those tiny little oval animals | | | | more venom. |
| stuck to the salmon you just caught from the sea | | | | The summary of avoding the sea lice sting: |
| water? Most likely they are sea lice.They have been | | | | First,remove swimsuit and shower immediately after |
| around as long as salmon have been swimming. | | | | bathing. |
| These small copepods are incredibly abundant – | | | | Second,wear a wetsuit if you are diving in sea |
| they comprise the largest source of protein in the | | | | lice infested waters. |
| world’s oceans in their early larval stages. | | | | Finally,wash bathing suit in hot water with detergent |
| Copepods have colonized almost every aquatic | | | | before wearing again |
| habitat on earth, and collectively compose the largest | | | | |
| animal family on earth. | | | | Victoria, BC, 2010, was recently choosed as the next |
| The sea lice prevalent in the warm waters of the | | | | destination for the international sea lice conference |
| Gulf of Carribean, Mexico, and along both the east | | | | series. The goal of the International Sea Lice |
| and west coasts of the United States .During the | | | | Conference series is to bring together regulatory |
| summer season, sea lice are considered as the most | | | | agencies and international research groups to foster |
| commonly encountered stinging threat to swimmers | | | | communication and collaboration on sea lice research. |
| and divers at the beach. | | | | This follows on discussions at the 7th International |
| If you are unfortunate enough to encounter sea lice | | | | Sea Lice Conference (2008) in Chile and more recent |
| such common symptoms will be happen. Severe | | | | discussions at the Pacific Salmon Forum (2008) in |
| reactions to sea lice exposure may include chills, | | | | Vancouver. |
| fever, headaches, vomiting and nausea, especially in | | | | The last International Sea Lice Conference was held |
| children. Extreme allergic reactions may require | | | | in Puerto Varas, Chile, March 2008. 150 delegates |
| hospitalization in rare cases. These painful and | | | | from all the major salmon farming nations were |
| unsightly lesions may appear anywhere on the body. | | | | attracted by this conference, as well as other regions |
| But they are often concentrated in areas covered by | | | | such as Australia and Asia where seasonal sea lice |
| swimwear as large numbers of larvae often become | | | | epidemics are a concern in non-salmonid fish farming. |
| trapped in these regions. Include an intensely itchy | | | | There was good representation from regulators |
| red rash with small blisters and elevated areas of skin. | | | | ,industry and academia. Topics covered included |
| While swimming your first sign that something is | | | | genomics, molecular genetics, modeling,and |
| amiss may be an burning or itching sensation in | | | | epidemiology, wild-farm fish interactions, integrated |
| affected areas of your skin. Do not wear the same | | | | pest management, resistance and regulatory policy. |
| swimsuit again until it's been thoroughly machine | | | | Many nations and institutes are eager to join the |
| washed and dried. If you suspect you've been | | | | conference at Sea Lice 2010 to hear national and |
| exposed to sea lice, please exit the water | | | | international experts’s presentations on the |
| immediately, then shower thoroughly after removing | | | | latest issues and science.They will participate in |
| your bathing suit. Do not rinse with fresh water when | | | | discussions on current research.Also they can provide |
| you are still wearing the suit since this will cause the | | | | recommendations for the future, connect and |
| stinging cells still in the fabric to fire, releasing even | | | | interact with other. |