Why Regional Testing Capabilities Matter in Solving the Sea Lice Challenge

Sea lice remain one of the most persistent and complex challenges facing global aquaculture. Despite significant advances in treatments, technologies, and management strategies, long-term, scalable solutions have proven difficult to achieve. Like many of the obstacles that producers face, regional specifics with disease and pests play a major role in finding solutions and remedies for prevention.

Sea lice are often discussed as a single global challenge, but in practice, they are shaped by regional biology, environmental conditions, and production systems. In Chile, the dominant species, Caligus rogercresseyi, behaves differently from Lepeophtheirus salmonis, which is prevalent in the North Atlantic. Differences in life cycle dynamics, treatment sensitivity, and resistance development mean that outcomes observed in one region cannot be assumed elsewhere.

Environmental factors further complicate the picture. Temperature, salinity, and seasonal variability all influence sea lice pressure and treatment performance. Production practices differ per hemisphere as well and need to be taken into consideration when looking at treatments and prevention.

Chile has long been a focal point for sea lice research due to its high disease pressure, year-round production, and extensive experience managing resistance. Research conducted there has generated valuable insights that continue to inform global understanding of sea lice biology and control strategies.

However, challenges arise when data generated in one region is applied directly to another without regional validation. While international studies can point innovation in the right direction, relying solely on non-regional data can lead to mismatched expectations, inconsistent performance, and hesitation from regulators and producers alike.

Regional testing bridges the gap between global innovation and local application. By evaluating solutions under the environmental conditions, biological realities, and production systems where they will ultimately be used, companies can generate data that is both relevant and reliable.

This approach strengthens confidence across the value chain. Producers gain assurance that solutions have been tested under conditions that reflect their operations. Regulators see data that aligns with local expectations and regulatory frameworks. Developers reduce the risk of late-stage surprises that can delay or derail commercialization.

Innovation in sea lice management is global by nature. New ideas, technologies, and approaches often emerge from collaborative efforts across regions. That is why Onda looks at global solutions, that impact locally. We are proud to announce the addition Caligus rogercresseyi to our sea lice offering at Onda. We recognize that we serve a global community with local challenges and our services need to provide tools to help find solutions to those challenges. This new offering will allow a regional focus on sea lice treatment that could have global impact. As always, Onda is always looking at research that creates ripples.