Scientists receive £1.5m funding to develop sea lice vaccine

A team of scientists has been awarded £1.5m ($1.9m) to develop an oral vaccine to combat sea lice in farmed Atlantic salmon. Sea lice pose significant challenges to the aquaculture industry, impacting fish health, welfare, and productivity. The salmon louse, an ectoparasite, feeds on farmed Atlantic salmon, and current control methods face challenges. The development of an effective vaccine, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), would provide a practical, safe, and eco-friendly solution, supporting the industry's expansion and the Scottish Government's goal to double the value of Atlantic salmon production by 2030. (University of Stirling)