Physical forcing on fish abundance in the southern California Current System

The California Current System (CCS) is an eastern boundary current system with strong biological productivity largely due to seasonal wind‐driven upwelling and transport of the California Current (CC). Two independent, yet complementary time series, CalCOFI ichthyoplankton surveys and sampling of southern California power plant cooling‐water intakes, have indicated that an assemblage of predominantly cool‐water affinity fishes spanning nearshore to oceanic environments in the southern CCS has declined dramatically from the 1970s to the 2000s. We examined potential oceanographic drivers behind this decline both within and north of the CalCOFI survey area in order to capture upstream processes as well. Empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analyses using output from a data‐assimilative regional ocean model revealed significant relationships between the fish time series and spatial patterns of upwelling, upper ocean heat content and eddy kinetic energy in the CCS. Correlation and linear regression analyses indicated that the declining trend in fish abundance was correlated with a suite of factors: reduced offshore and increased inshore upwelling; a long term warming trend combined with more recent interannual variability in ocean temperature; weaker eddy kinetic energy north of Point Conception (35°N), potentially indicating reduced transport of the California Current (CC); increased influence of the California Undercurrent (CUC); and a decline in zooplankton displacement volume across the southern CCS. Understanding how changes in oceanography affect fish populations will offer insights into managing fisheries in a changing climate.     

Mesopelagic fish larval assemblages during El Niño‐southern oscillation (1997–2001) in the southern part of the California Current

Mesopelagic species are the principal constituents of larval fish assemblages inhabiting the southerly California Current region. Seasonal larval abundance is influenced by circulation of the California Current and subtropical Countercurrent, including regional changes of the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics during the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation. This study examines the mesopelagic fish larvae distribution and abundance patterns between seasons and years, with the aim of describing the mesopelagic larval assemblages during dynamic environmental changes induced by El Niño (1997–1998) and the rapid transition to La Niña (1998–2000) along the west coast of the Baja California Peninsula (25–31°N). Despite large oceanographic variability, larval assemblages varied principally on a seasonal basis, related to reproductive periods and the north–south gradient influenced by the seasonal pattern of the California Current. An increased diversity, number of species, and abundance of tropical species was noticeable during the northward expansion of warm‐water taxa during El Niño, principally in the northern areas (Ensenada and Punta Baja). After El Niño, population adjustments and rapid recovery occurred during La Niña conditions, which reflected seasonal differences in the mesopelagic community structure that are closely related to the seasonal pattern of oceanic currents.     

Distribution and community structure of ichthyoplankton from the northern and central California Current in May 2004–06

The distributions, concentrations, and community structure of pelagic larval fishes collected from the central and northern California Current in the northeast Pacific Ocean during May 2004, 2005, and 2006 were analyzed to investigate inter-annual, latitudinal, cross-shelf, and depth-stratified variability. The inter-annual climate-induced variability during the sampling period provided a unique opportunity to observe how larval fish communities adjust to rapidly changing environmental conditions. The 170 depth-stratified samples collected from three cruises yielded 14 819 fish larvae from 56 taxa representing 23 families. Dominant larval taxa were Engraulis mordax , Citharichthys spp., Sebastes spp., and Stenobrachius leucopsarus . Larval concentrations decreased significantly in 2006 from 2004 and 2005 levels following the anomalous oceanic conditions observed in 2005 and decreased water temperature in 2006. Larvae were generally found in higher concentrations at northern (>43°N) versus southern (<43°N) stations, with larval E. mordax and Citharichthys spp. found almost exclusively in the north during all sampled years. Inter-annual variability related to dynamic upwelling intensity was observed in cross-shelf larval distributions, although concentrations of S. leucopsarus larvae consistently increased in the offshore direction, while larval Sebastes spp. were generally found in highest concentrations at intermediate stations along the shelf. Multivariate analyses revealed that latitude, station depth, and sea-surface temperature were the most important factors explaining variability in larval concentrations. The present study shows that the ichthyoplankton community of the central and northern California Current changed dramatically in response to the variable environmental conditions of 2004–06.     

Subtropical water influences temporal fluctuations of early life stages of Vinciguerria lucetia (Osteichthyes: Phosichthyidae) in the Humboldt Current System (1998–2004)

In the last decades, the fish Vinciguerria lucetia (Garman) has been of important interest to the fisheries sector; nonetheless, the spawning and nursery zones in the Humboldt Current System (HCS) have not yet been defined. By using a temporal series of 23 oceanographic surveys from austral spring of 1998 to autumn 2004 off northern Chile, the spatial and temporal distribution and abundance of eggs and larvae of V. lucetia were studied. The relationships with environmental conditions (sea surface temperature, water column stratification, salinity, dissolved oxygen) were modeled using generalized additive models (GAMs). Seasonal variations in eggs and larval abundances were recorded, and higher abundances were observed in spring and summer, respectively. The main spawning areas were located at approximately between 40 and 80 nautical miles offshore. The largest abundances of V. lucetia eggs were found during spring 2003; however, larval abundances reached the highest values following the strongest ENSO event 1997–98. GAMs predicted that offshore location, sea surface temperature, and the deepening of the oxygen minimum zone, characteristics of the subtropical waters (22–24°C, >34.9, 3–6 ml/L) drove eggs and larval distributions of V. lucetia in the HCS during 1998–2004, toward areas with scarce food availability for larvae. These results suggest that spawning and larval development of this oceanic species occur in oligotrophic waters as a loophole strategy, in order to reduce predation risk during early life stages.     

The demography of Calanus pacificus during winter–spring Californian El Niño conditions, 1992–1993: implications for anchovy?

Samples from the southern California sector of the California Current System were examined to test for changes in abundance, reproduction, recruitment and naupliar survival of the planktonic copepod, Calanus pacificus, coincident with the 1993 Californian El?Niño, relative to 1992 (also El Niño conditions) and to 1989–1991 (defined as `normal'). In 1993, as in 1992, females were rare in both winter and spring, but per capita reproduction was less, food limitation was greater and biomass of chlorophyll was reduced only in winter. Recruitment was more variable than was naupliar survival. Recruitment increased in both El Niño springs, but survival of older naupliar stages decreased. The mesoscale distributions of larval anchovy, relative to eggs and nauplii of Calanus, did not result in efficient use of the reduced supply of this source of food, and the abundance of larval anchovy did not cause measurable variation in the survival of naupliar Calanus.     

北江鱼类群落结构及其与环境因子的关系

为详细了解北江鱼类群落结构,于2014年3月-2016年2月对北江鱼类资源进行了每月一次的野外调查。结果显示:共采集鱼类77种,隶属于8目16科56属。其中鲤形目44种,占总数的57.1%;鲈形目10种,占总数的13.0%;鲇形目8种,占总数的10.3%;其余的鳉形目、合鳃鱼目、鲱形目、鲑形目和鲻形目种数均少于5种。在全部77种鱼类中,只有(Hemiculter leucisculus)、鲤(Cyprinus carpio)和鲮(Cirrhina molitorella)三种鱼类属于年度优势种。典型对应分析(CCA)显示,水温(Tem)、溶氧量(DO)和盐度(Sal)是影响北江鱼类群落结构季节变化的主要环境因子。     

Brandt's cormorant diet (1994–2012) indicates the importance of fall ocean conditions for northern anchovy in central California

Effective ecosystem‐based management requires a comprehensive understanding of the functional links in the system. In many marine systems, forage species constitute a critical link between primary production and upper trophic level marine predators. As top predators, seabirds can be indicators of the forage species they consume and the ocean processes that influence these populations. We analyzed the diet and breeding success for the years 1994, 2003, 2005, and 2007–2012 of the Brandt's cormorant (Phalacrocorax penicillatus), a piscivorous diving seabird, breeding in central California, to evaluate the extent to which cormorant diet composition relates to prey availability, and how diet composition relates to breeding success and ocean conditions. Cormorant diet was primarily composed of young‐of‐the‐year (YOY) northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax), YOY rockfish (Sebastes spp.), and several species of small flatfish (order Pleuronectiformes). YOY rockfish consumption was positively related to their abundance as measured in a late spring pelagic midwater trawl survey. Northern anchovy appeared to be the most important prey as its consumption was positively related to cormorant breeding success. More northern anchovy were consumed in years where warm‐water conditions prevailed in the fall season before cormorant breeding. Thus, warm ocean conditions in the fall appear to be an important contributing factor in producing a strong year‐class of northern anchovy in central California and consequently a strong‐year class of Brandt's cormorant on the Farallon Islands.     

Niche partitioning of fish assemblages in a mountain stream with frequent natural disturbances – an examination of microhabitat in riffle areas

Abstract –  Microhabitat usage by different species of fish was studied to examine the potential for niche partitioning in riffle areas of a mountain river characterised by frequent natural disturbances. We randomly sampled 96 riffle‐area plots (mostly 1 m × 1 m) in a stream in south‐western Taiwan for fish abundance and microhabitat characteristics during the dry season from November 2008 to March 2009. Density and electivity values associated with microhabitat usage indicate the presence of niche partitioning among four major species of fish based largely on flow velocity and water depth. Hemimyzon formosanum, a herbivore, prefers higher velocity and shallower water but avoids sandy substrate. Onychostoma alticorpus, a herbivore, prefers lower velocity and deeper water. Rhinogobius nantaiensis, an omnivore, prefers higher velocity, shallower water and gravel‐sized substrate but avoids boulder substrate. Acrossocheilus paradoxus, an omnivore, prefers lower velocity and deeper water but avoids pebble‐sized substrate. The existence of differentiation of microhabitat preference and overlap of microhabitat usage suggests that interspecific competition is a factor affecting the structure of this fish assemblage, which may remain at early successional stages because of frequent disturbances in the stream. Study results also show that density and electivity detect preference differently. Density detects microhabitat preference for two herbivores while electivity detects microhabitat preference for two omnivores.     

Diets of top predators indicate pelagic juvenile rockfish (Sebastes spp.) abundance in the California Current System

Diets of top predators may be useful indicators to the availability of forage fish in marine ecosystems. Juvenile rockfish (young‐of‐the‐year Sebastes spp.) compose a significant part of the diet for many predators in the central California Current, including chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha), and several species of marine birds and mammals. Herein, we develop annual indices of juvenile rockfish relative abundance by collating time series data sets on: (i) the proportion of rockfish in the diet of three species of seabirds breeding on Southeast Farallon Island (1975–2002); (ii) the number of rockfish in chinook salmon stomachs (1980–99); and (iii) the abundance of rockfish captured in scientific mid‐water trawl net surveys (1983–2002). We used Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to combine indices, and refer to these as ‘Multivariate Rockfish Indices’ (MRI). Combining time series verifies the patterns shown by each alone and provides a synoptic perspective on juvenile rockfish relative abundance. The diets of predators with the largest foraging ranges (Common Murre, Uria aalge) and chinook salmon co‐varied strongly with the net samples, and appear to be the best indicators. The salmon also sampled species of Sebastes not caught in the nets. The MRI reveals interannual variability in juvenile rockfish abundance, a substantial decline in abundance in the 1990s, and a partial recovery in the early 2000s. Predator‐based sampling is a cost‐effective enhancement of scientific net sampling.     

Climate‐induced nonlinearity in pelagic communities and non‐stationary relationships with physical drivers in the Kuroshio ecosystem

Climate‐induced nonlinearity in biological variability and non‐stationary relationships with physical drivers are crucial to understand responses of marine organisms to climate variability. These phenomena have raised concerns in the northeastern North Pacific, but are out of the spotlight in the northwestern North Pacific in spite of potential implications for this productive system under increased climate variability. Pelagic communities in the Kuroshio ecosystem have both ecological and economic importance. However, patterns of climate‐induced nonlinearity in pelagic communities are not well understood, and existence of non‐stationarity in their relationships with physical drivers remains obscure. Here, we compile large numbers of climatic, oceanic and biological long‐term time‐series data and employ diverse statistical techniques to reveal such climate‐induced nonlinearity and non‐stationarity. Results show that pelagic communities in the Tsushima and Pacific areas (major areas in the Kuroshio ecosystem) had regime shifts in the late 1990s and late 1980s, respectively. Winter sea surface temperatures in the Kuroshio Current path and in the eastern part of East China Sea, which are respectively affected by the Kuroshio Current and Siberian High, correlate with dominant variability patterns in their pelagic communities. Furthermore, non‐stationarity was identified with threshold years in the 1990s in the Tsushima area and in the 1980s in the Pacific area as a possible result of the declined variances in the Siberian High and Aleutian Low, respectively. Our findings provide insights on spatial differentiation of climate‐induced nonlinearity and non‐stationarity, which are valuable for the management of pelagic communities in the northwestern North Pacific under changing climatic conditions.     

Interannual-decadal variability of demersal fish assemblages in the Tsushima Warm Current region of the Japan Sea: Impacts of climate regime shifts and trawl fisheries with implications for ecosystem-based management

Data sets for two bottom trawl fisheries, the coastal pair-trawler fishery and offshore single-trawler fishery in the Tsushima Warm Current (TWC) region of the Japan Sea, were compiled and analyzed for the last three decades (1974-2006). These data sets were used to (1) identify and compare the variability in demersal fish assemblages, and (2) relate these to water temperature to examine the impacts of climate regime shifts. Principal component analysis (PCA) of catches of target species in the two trawler fisheries showed synchronous decadal variability with step changes around 1986/1987 and 1996/1997. These step changes strongly suggest the effect of the late 1980s climate regime shift, which was characterized by an abrupt change from a cool to a warm condition in the TWC. The first and second principal components (PC1 and PC2) for both trawler fisheries agreed closely with winter and summer water temperature in the Japan Sea, respectively, suggesting PC1 (PC2) was associated with cold- (warm-) water species. However, between warm- and cold-water species the response pattern to water temperature was different. CPUE (catch per unit effort) of warm- (cold-) water species correlated positively (negatively) with water temperature, indicating the increase in water temperature has a positive (negative) effect on warm- (cold-) water species. Cold-water species decreased (increased) both in biomass and distribution during the warm (cold) regime, while warm-water species increased in biomass and/or distribution during the warm 1990s. These results suggested that the demersal fish assemblage structure changed abruptly as a consequence of the late 1980s climate regime shift. Impact of fishing was unclear on the demersal fish assemblage as a whole, but fishing pressure has been intensified for specific species under unfavorable climate regimes even with a declining fishing effort. Differing response patterns between warm- and cold-water species to climate regime shifts suggest the importance of integrated assessment and ecosystem-based management for the whole trawl fishery rather than only for individual target species.     

Fish assemblages and seasonal movements of fish in irrigation canals and river reaches of the middle Rio Grande, New Mexico (USA)

Abstract – Synoptic fish surveys of river and irrigation canal sites and a path-analytic approach evaluate seasonal changes in fish assemblages in canal systems and river reaches of the middle Rio Grande, NM (USA). The objective was to assess how fish assemblages within the Isleta Reach respond to irrigation season and off-season variations in water and fish contributions from upstream river channels (Albuquerque Reach) and from the Peralta irrigation system. Eighteen species of fish were found in the irrigation canals, 13 in the Isleta Reach and 15 in the Albuquerque Reach. The proportion of nonnative fishes was higher in canals (56%) than in the river (11%). Species rank abundances were used in path analyses of fish species compositions during the irrigation season and off-season. During the irrigation season, path coefficients indicated fish movements downstream from the Albuquerque Reach (0.55) to the Isleta Reach exceeded contributions by the conveyance-return (0.29) and drain-return (0.05) canals. However, as the river de-watered the return canals were important refuge habitats for native fishes. The 0.05 value represented a major decline relative to the path coefficient for the upstream Peralta drain canal (0.72). During the off-season path coefficients indicated fish movements of 0.47 downstream in the river and 0.59 in the conveyance-return canal but a negligible value for the drain-return canal (-0.06). Irrigation management could be modified to favour native fish ecology by controlling movement of nonnative predators in canal systems and in providing refuge habitats for native fish during periods when water demand exceeds the supply.     

Changes in the long‐term distribution of zooplankton in the Humboldt Current Ecosystem off Peru, 1961–2005, and its relationship to regime shifts and environmental factors

We used a dataset assembled by the Peruvian Marine Research Institute (IMARPE) from 1961 to 2005, to examine the influence of seasonal, environmental (temperature and salinity), temporal (day–night and year) and location (north‐south and on‐off shelf) variables on the distribution and biovolume of zooplankton. Classification and regression trees (CART) showed that the zooplankton distribution can be divided into four time regimes: prior to 1974.5, 1974.5–1989.5, 1989.5–1997.5 and 1997.5–2005. These periods differ in overall biovolume but, more importantly, in having different spatial distributions of variables. Offshore‐onshore, seasonal, diel and north‐south patterns are all apparent in the temporal changes observed in zooplankton distribution. In the early period zooplankton biovolume was high throughout the Peruvian Humboldt Current Ecosystem, with enhanced biovolume in all seasons but winter. After 1974.5, biovolume was considerably lower. There was an increased difference between the shelf (lower biovolume) and offshore (higher biovolume), with a significant day–night effect offshore, due to diel migration and possibly diel catchability changes. After 1989.5, seasonal effects were more marked and biovolume appeared to be higher in the winter in the northern region. In other seasons, during the daytime, biovolume was highest farther offshore (greater than 65 km offshore of the 200‐m isobath) and, during the night, higher after 1997.5 than before. We relate these changes in distribution and biovolume to changes in large‐scale current patterns in different regimes and to the possible effect of the fishery in removing nutrients from the system.     

The feeding ecology of larval Pacific hake (Merluccius productus) in the California Current region: an updated approach using a combined OPC/MOCNESS to estimate prey biovolume

A combined optical particle counter (OPC) and multiple opening and closing net and environmental sensing system (MOCNESS) was used to obtain simultaneous measurements of the fine‐scale distribution of ‘prey‐sized’ particles and the vertical distribution of larvae of Pacific hake (Merluccius productus). Physical properties were also measured. The data were used to describe the feeding ecology of Pacific hake larvae, and to explore the effects of prey abundance, time of day, temperature and depth on feeding. Pacific hake larvae consumed a wide variety of prey including copepod eggs, nauplii, copepodites, and euphausiid metanauplii. Calanoid copepodites comprised > 75% of the ingested prey volume. First‐feeding larvae were 2.5–3.0 mm SL. These larvae consumed prey 40–200 μm wide. Larvae 3.0–6.5 mm long ingested prey 40–400 μm wide and larvae > 6.5 mm long ingested prey 400–700 μm wide. There were clear diel patterns in feeding incidence and prey volume ingested. Feeding commenced between 06:01 and 08:00 hours PST and continued until ～ 16:00 hours. Ingested prey items remained in the gut until complete gut evacuation occurred near dawn. The volume of food ingested was estimated using two indices, the cube root of the prey volume (CRPV) and the cube root of the stomach volume (CRSV). Standard length, log elapsed time since gut evacuation, depth and particle biovolume contributed significantly to variation in both indices. Temperature did not contribute to variability in either CRPV or CRSV.     

Changes in native bull trout and non‐native brook trout distributions in the upper Powder River basin after 20 years,relationships to water temperature and implications of climate change

Many bull trout populations have declined from non‐native brook trout introductions, habitat changes (e.g. water temperature) and other factors. We systematically sampled the distribution of bull trout and brook trout in the upper Powder River basin in Oregon in the 1990s and resampled it in 2013–2015, examined temperature differences in the habitats of the two species and analysed trends in temperatures in the light of possible increases associated with climate change. The species’ distributions are currently similar to those in the 1990s, except in one stream where bull trout declined. However, bull trout consisting of resident forms remain restricted to a few kilometres of habitat at the upper end of fish distribution. In streams where both species occur, the typical pattern was an intermediate zone of mixed bull trout, brook trout, and hybrids downstream of allopatric bull trout and allopatric brook trout extending farther downstream. Temperature differences between where bull trout and most brook trout occurred were small (0.5–1.0°C August mean). There were no statistical increases in water temperatures in nearby streams since the 1990s and no warming trends in air temperatures for the past 25–60 years. However, peak summer water temperatures are occurring about 3 weeks earlier than 25 years ago. Future effects of climate change, including possible increases in temperature, changes in timing and other factors (e.g. snowpack, flow and extreme events) remain a concern for the persistence of these populations. However, it is difficult to precisely predict where those changes will occur and what they will be.     

A survey of the distribution of the PKD‐parasite Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae (Cnidaria: Myxozoa: Malacosporea) in salmonids in Norwegian rivers – additional information gleaned from formerly collected fish

The malacosporean Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae was detected in kidneys from Atlantic salmon parr in 64 of 91 sampled Norwegian rivers. Using real‐time PCR, this parasite was found to be present in Atlantic salmon parr in rivers along the whole coast, from the northernmost and southernmost areas of the country. In addition, T. bryosalmonae was found in kidneys from brown trout parr in 17 of 19 sampled rivers in south‐east Norway, and in Arctic charr sampled in the River Risfjordelva, located at the northernmost edge of the European mainland. In conclusion, T. bryosalmonae has a widespread distribution in salmonids in Norwegian watercourses. Proliferative kidney disease (PKD) caused by T. bryosalmonae and PKD‐induced mortality has been observed in salmonids in several Norwegian rivers and it can be speculated that more PKD outbreaks will occur as a result of climate change.     

Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) larvae fed Artemia nauplii enriched with poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB): effect on growth performance,body composition,digestive enzymes,gut microbial community,gut histology and stress tests

The effects of feeding Artemia nauplii enriched with or without poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and/or highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) on Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) larvae were investigated. Feeding larvae with PHB‐enriched nauplii (PHB, PHB + HUFA) decreased the growth performance of the larvae. PHB affected the body composition by increasing the lipid content of the whole body and decreasing total saturated, monoenoic, n3, n6 and decosahexanoeic acid (DHA) in the larvae, indicating that the PHB addition affected lipid metabolism. A high activity of pepsin was observed in the digestive extracts of PHB treatments (PHB, PHB + HUFA), while PHB suppressed amylase activity in the intestine of the larvae. Based on molecular analysis, PHB changed the microbial community in the distal intestine of the larvae. The highest counts of goblet cells were observed in the HUFA‐containing treatments (HUFA, PHB + HUFA), indicating that HUFA addition may improve the mucosal barrier defence system. The overall quality of the larvae was evaluated by exposing them to different salinities and ammonia stress levels. PHB decreased survival rates in these challenges. Our results show that optimal PHB doses for bio‐encapsulation into Artemia remain to be determined for further application at the earliest larval stages of sturgeon.     

Spatial assessment of predator–prey relationships in the North Sea: the influence of abiotic habitat properties on the spatial overlap between 0‐group cod and grey gurnard

The understanding of spatio‐temporal dynamics of marine ecosystems is crucial for ecosystem‐based fisheries management and climate change impact assessments. We quantified temporal changes in the distribution of 0‐group cod (Gadus morhua) and grey gurnard (Eutriglia gurnardus), a primary predator of 0‐group cod, with the help of regression kriging and assessed the temporal dynamics of the related spatial predator–prey overlap of these two species at different spatial scales. We analysed the robustness of relationships among abiotic habitat properties (temperature, salinity and depth) and abundance. Small cod was mainly found in low salinity areas of the Skagerrak but larger year classes were able to expand their distribution area towards the central and northern North Sea. In contrast, grey gurnard was mainly found in waters with salinities above 33 and temperatures above 14°C. This species has expanded its high density areas in the central North Sea northward over the last two decades. Recruitment success of cod was negatively correlated to a Moran's I cross‐correlation index, a proxy for the degree of spatial overlap between both species. Strong cod year classes overlapped less with grey gurnard at the large and medium spatial scale. In general, the relationships between abiotic habitat properties and abundance showed an increased inter‐annual variability, which was likely caused by underlying factors not taken into account in the distribution models. Thus assemblage modeling approaches combining the strength of different model types should be considered in the future to predict potential distribution patterns under climate change scenarios.     

How are the salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis Krøyer, 1837) in Atlantic salmon farming affected by different control efforts: A case study of an intensive production area with coordinated production cycles and changing delousing practices in 2013–2018

The aims of the present study were to describe the salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis Krøyer, 1837) situation in an intensive salmon production area in mid‐Norway and to consider implications of changing practices of how salmon lice infestation can be controlled. The results in this study suggest that there are steps that can be carried out to keep salmon lice under control even during years when the temperature facilitates a quick salmon lice development. The present work indicates that the use of cleaner fish can delay the time it takes adult female lice to reach 0.1 per salmon in the beginning of a production cycle. It suggests that the timing of cleaner fish deployment into salmon cages can influence its effectiveness in controlling salmon lice. It also gives caution to letting salmon lice develop unchecked, even at levels far below the current lice limit, because of the difficulties to control salmon lice when the external infection pressure is too high. This study took place during a rapid change in delousing methods, in an area with coordinated salmon production. Despite its exploratory nature, this study offers insights into the salmon lice fluctuations in relation to efforts aimed at controlling it.