Protocols and Guidelines: A Reference Manual for Research Involving Wild/Cultured Fish Interactions with Sea Lice has been developed by a wide range of active, expert, researchers in the field of sea lice research; 17 authors and another 9 contributors.

The draft documents were then sent for external review to a broad range of Canadian and International scientists; 65 in total. This was an open process. Of the 65 expert scientists who received the documents, 34 responded and they provided a total of 84 reviews on the individual sections of the manual; some reviewers provided a critique on more than one PG area. Only 3 reviews were overtly negative and 12 reviews had specific concerns that were addressed.

It is important to note that the protocols and guidelines are intended to address data quality and/or provide a reference for research and are not intended to stifle innovation.

PROTOCOLS AND GUIDELINES
A Reference Manual for Research Involving Wild/Cultured Fish Interactions with Sea Lice

Preface

PG 1 - Sea Lice Biology, Identification and Laboratory Methods
· Introduction
· Sea Lice Identification
· Laboratory Methods
· Laboratory Ring Test
· References

PG 2 - Field Sampling Methods for Juvenile and Adult Pacific Salmon, and Caligid Zooplankton
· Introduction
· Sampling Gears and Protocols for Juvenile Pacific Salmonids
· Processing of Captured Wild Fish, Water Property Sampling and Data Processing
· Caligid Zooplankton Sampling
· Sampling Adult Salmon: Escapement Estimation
· References
· Addendum 1: Trawl Survey Design
· Addendum 2: A Bibliography of Survey Methods for Salmon Escapement Enumeration

PG 3 - Methods for Studying the Effects of Sea Lice Infection on Host Physiology and Health
· Introduction
· Laboratory-based Infection Studies
· Experimental Design
· Definition of end points
· Standard Operating Procedures
· References

Appendix 1 - Current Practices: Lice Infestation Dynamics & Treatment
· Atlantic Salmon Enumeration in Marine Net Pens
· Lice Treatment
· References
· Addendum 1: Fallowing for Sea Lice Control

Appendix 2 - A Summary of the Norwegian Experience with Salmon and Lice, and a Bibliography

Appendix 3 - Resources for Fish Introduction/Transplant, Animal Care, Environmental Assessments and Workplace Safety
· Fish Introductions and Transplants
· Animal Care and Welfare
· Environmental Assessments
· Workplace Safety and Handling of Chemicals

The BC Pacific Salmon Forum would like to acknowledge the contributions of the following for their input and support of this project:
Project Lead: Dr. Anthony (Tony) Farrell
Project Coordinator: Maria Rastan
PG 1 Primary Authors: Moira Galbraith, Dr. Stewart Johnson and Dr. Simon Jones
PG 2 Primary Authors: Fisheries and Oceans Salmon and Freshwater Ecosystems Division, Science Branch
PG 3 Primary Authors: Dr. Mark Fast, Dr. Luis Afonso and Dr. Stewart Johnson
Appendix 1 Primary Authors: Dr. Jim Brackett and Dr. Sonja Saksida
Appendix 2 Primary Author: Dr. Karin Boxaspen
The Forum also wishes to acknowledge Dr. Kenneth Brooks for contributing to the discussion around considerations in sea lice modeling.