November 30th to december 04th
Puerto Varas - CHILE
Welcome to the 2025 International Sea Lice Conference - Puerto Varas, Chile
The International Sea Lice Conference is the leading scientific gathering focused on sea lice research. Since its inaugural event in Paris in 1992, there have been 13 editions of the conference, including one held online. The last time this event took place in Chile was in 2018, in the city of Punta Arenas. Over the years, the conference has united researchers, regulators, policymakers, and salmon industry experts to share findings, discuss challenges, and develop new strategies related to sea lice.
Sea lice, particularly Lepeophtheirus salmonis and species of Caligus, pose one of the greatest challenges in salmon farming today. These parasites affect not only farmed salmon but also wild fish populations, significantly impacting the surrounding environment and the economic sustainability of the aquaculture industry. Their presence also raises important concerns regarding fish health and welfare.
This year, we are excited to host the conference in Puerto Varas, located in southern Chile, part of the Patagonian region. This area is one of the world's major salmon-producing regions and shows a strong commitment to research and innovation. During the meeting, we will explore a wide range of topics, including sea lice biology, epidemiology, control strategies, resistance, genetics, fish welfare, environmental interactions, and regulatory frameworks. Through keynote lectures, scientific sessions, and open discussions, we aim to advance our shared understanding and improve the management of sea lice worldwide.
Programme
Sealice Conference 2025
| Day | Time | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, november 30th |
15:00 - 18:00 | Registration |
| 15:00 - 18:00 | Posters and trade show setup | |
| 18:00 - 19:30 | Ice breaker | |
| Monday, december 01st |
09:00 | Opening Ceremony |
| 09:30 - 10:15 | Keynote Talk | |
| Session 1: “Fish welfare” | ||
| 10:15 | Effects of parasite co-infection on lice acquisition and body condition. Rachel Paterson, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Norway. |
|
| 10:30 | Differential effects of sea lice treatments at different temperatures on Atlantic salmon skin indicators. Karina Gajardo, Aquabyte, Chile. |
|
| 10:45 | Improving fish welfare during lice treatments. Dario Mascolo, MSD. |
|
| 11:00 | Phytogenic feed additive l-end modulates mucosal immunity and reduces Caligus rogercresseyi burden in Atlantic salmon. Paula Miranda, Acuanativa, Chile. |
|
| 11:00 - 11:30 | Coffee break | |
| Session 2: Non-Pharmacological Treatments I | ||
| 11:30 | Trade-offs in sea lice control: assessing mechanical/thermal treatments and bacterial outbreak risks in Chilean salmon aquaculture. Alex M. Moyano Escobar, Aquabench, Chile. |
|
| 11:45 | Harbor fence: innovative pulse technology as a measure against sea lice. Tarald Kleppa Ovreboe, Harbor, Norway. |
|
| 12:00 | Krill meal reduces sea lice infestation and enhances skin mucosal health in Atlantic salmon. Jorge E. Pino Marambio, Aker Qrill Company, Norway. |
|
| 12:15 | In vitro and in vivo susceptibility of Caligus rogercresseyi to plant-derived phytogenic premixes for in-feed use. Sara Cavini, Greenvolution, Chile. |
|
| 12:30 | Recombinant lice antigen vaccines and whole lice antigens provide protection against sea lice in Atlantic salmon. Koestan Gadan, Norwegian University of Live Sciences, Norway. |
|
| 12:45 | Reprogramming sea lice microbiota through precision probiotics: a novel preventive tool for salmon aquaculture. Valentina Valenzuela-Muñoz, INCAR, Chile. |
|
| 13:00 - 14:30 | Lunch | |
| Session 3: Sea lice Biology and Ecology I | ||
| 14:30 | Temperature predicts development in a similar fashion in Lepeophtheirus salmonis, Caligus elongatus and C. rogercresseyi. Sussie Dalvin, Institute of Marine Research, Norway. |
|
| 14:45 | Sex-biased epigenetic signatures in the sea louse Caligus rogercresseyi. Cristian Gallardo-Escárate, INCAR, Chile. |
|
| 15:00 | Survival, reinfestation and behavior in parasitic stages of salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) and Caligus elongatus without host. Cecilie Miljeteig, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway. |
|
| 15:15 | Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis of bacterial microbiome of Caligus rogercresseyi according to sex and ontogenic development. Marcelo Muñoz Troncoso, INCAR, Chile. |
|
| 15:30 | Comparative microbiome analysis of the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, using Illumina and nanopore sequencing technologies. Bela Klimesova, Atlantic Technological University, Ireland. |
|
| 16:00 - 16:30 | Coffee break | |
| Session 4: Genetics and Genomics I | ||
| 16:30 | The cellular and genetic response to sea lice infection: how might we use this knowledge to improve Atlantic salmon host-resistance to sea lice? Nick Robinson, NOFIMA, Norway. |
|
| 16:45 | Metagenomic and metabolomic signatures associated with the tolerance of Atlantic salmon to sea lice infestation. Diego Valenzuela Miranda, INCAR, Chile. |
|
| 17:00 | Sea lice under pressure: how host resistance shapes the transcriptome and microbiota of Caligus rogercresseyi. Constanza Sáez Vera, INCAR, Chile. |
|
| 17:15 | Effect of seasonal temperature on the skin transcriptome of Atlantic salmon naturally infested with Caligus rogercresseyi in open-ocean cages. Felipe E. Reyes-López, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Chile. |
|
| 17:30 | Genomic markers associated with tolerance to Emamectin benzoate in Lepeophtheirus salmonis from British Columbia, Canada. Shelby Reimer, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada. |
|
| 18:00 | Posters session I - Wine and cheese tasting | |
| Tuesday, december 02nd |
09:00 - 09:40 | Opening talk |
| Session 5: Wild Fish Interaction | ||
| 09:45 | Salmon lice from aquaculture impair the fitness and survival of wild salmonids. Knut Wiik Vollset, NORCE Research, Norway. |
|
| 10:00 | Trends in abundance of sea lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus clemensi on juvenile wild pacific salmon unchanged following cessation of salmon aquaculture in two regions of coastal British Columbia, Canada. Lance Stewardson, Mainstream Biological Consulting, Canada. |
|
| 10:15 | Quantifying the impact of salmon lice on wild Atlantic salmon sea survival: in situ experimental infestation trials in Norway. Tormod Haraldstad, NORCE Research, Norway. |
|
| 10:30 | In situ experiments reveal effects of salmon lice on all wild salmonid species in Norway. Thomas Bohn, Institute of Marine Research, Norway. |
|
| 10:45 | Interactive effects of temperature and Lepeophtheirus salmonis infection on growth and health metrics in wild-caught post-smolt Atlantic salmon. David Pioch, Institute of Marine Research, Norway. |
|
| 11:00 - 11:30 | Coffee break | |
| Session 6: Sea lice Biology and Ecology II | ||
| 11:30 | Demographic allele effect in Lepeophtheirus salmonis: implications for reproductive success and management. Kirstin Eliasen, FIRUM, Faroe Islands. |
|
| 11:45 | Characterization of abundance patterns of Caligus rogercresseyi larvae in different geographical zones of the Los Lagos and Aysén Regions. Margarita Del Pilar González Gómez, Universidad San Sebastián, Chile. |
|
| 12:00 | (Mis)understanding salmon lice larvae: measuring their objective distribution has in different outcomes than lab and mesocosm trials. Snorre Bakke, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway. |
|
| 12:15 | Freshwater preference in salmon louse copepodids is heritably affected by exposure and domestication. Sussie Dalvin, Institute of Marine Research, Norway. |
|
| 12:30 | Novel insights into frontal filament formation in salmon louse chalimus larvae. Christiane Eichner, Universidad de Bergen, Norway. |
|
| 12:45 | Lepeophtheirus salmonis larvae originating from submerged and surface salmon farms: behavioral responses to light, salinity and pressure stimuli. Anna Solvang Batnes, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway. |
|
| 13:00 - 14:30 | Lunch | |
| Session 7: Pharmacological Treatments I | ||
| 14:30 | Evolution of Caligus rogercresseyi management strategies in Chilean aquaculture. Daniel F. Woywood Wijnant, Aquabench, Chile. |
|
| 14:45 | A new sensitivity test of salmon lice larvae enables more sustainable use of sea lice medicines. Lene Hoegset, MSD Animal Health, Norway. |
|
| 15:00 | Methods to increase DNA vaccine efficiency against a salmon louse labial gland protein. Patrick Alexander Nelson, Universidad de Bergen, Norway. |
|
| 15:15 | Defining nicotinic acetylcholine receptor stoichiometry in Lepeophtheirus salmonis to advance targeted pesticide development. Hanna Magdalena Sahlstrom, Norwegian University of Live Sciences, Norway. |
|
| 15:30 | Methods to increase DNA vaccine efficiency against a salmon louse labial gland protein. Patrick Alexander Nelson, Universidad de Bergen, Norway. |
|
| 15:45 | Mucoadhesive chitosan-alginate microparticles loaded with azamethiphos for targeted control of Caligus rogercresseyi in salmon aquaculture. Jose Antonio Matus Uribe, Universidad San Sebastián, Chile. |
|
| 16:00 - 16:30 | Coffee break | |
| Session 8: Genetics and Genomics II | ||
| 16:30 | Uncovering the important genetic defenses against sea lice in coho salmon via CRISPR-mediated gene editing. Shawna L. Semple, University of Prince Edward Island, Canada. |
|
| 16:45 | IPath® vaccine reduces sea lice infestation and enhances the transcriptome responses of Atlantic salmon to hypoxia. Yeny Leal, INCAR, Chile. |
|
| 17:00 | Mining Lepeophtheirus salmonis transcriptomes unearths keys to stage-specific quantification of parasitic larvae. Nathan Mertz, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway. |
|
| 17:15 | Commercial vaccines do not impact the efficacy of the IPath® sea lice vaccine. Antonio Casuso, INCAR, Chile. |
|
| 17:30 | Poster session II - Beers and snacks | |
| Tuesday, december 03rd |
09:00 - 09:40 | Opening talk |
| Session 9: Modelling and Epidemiology | ||
| 09:45 | Patterns of antiparasitic use in Atlantic salmon farming in Los Lagos region, Chile (2015-2024). Alexander Jaramillo-Torres, INTESAL, Chile. |
|
| 10:00 | Harnessing currents to quantify parasites: ddPCR analysis of passively collected plankton provides new empirical data for risk assessments. Nathan Mertz, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway. |
|
| 10:15 | Can we predict Caligus rogercresseyi abundances in farming sites by monitoring the plankton stages of the parasite? Jorge Mancilla Schulz, Mowi Chile. |
|
| 10:30 | Detecting long-term abundance changes and epidemic transitions of sea lice in salmon farming areas using complexity measures and early warning indicators. Rodrigo M. Montes, INCAR, Chile. |
|
| 10:45 | Official Conference Photograph | |
| 11:00 - 11:30 | Coffee break | |
| Session 10: Pharmacological Treatments II | ||
| 11:30 | Effects of caligus bath treatments on salmon production mortality, growth and feed conversion ratio in Chilean salmon aquaculture (2020 - 2025). Alex M. Moyano Escobar, Aquabench, Chile. |
|
| 11:45 | Haplotypes associated with deltamethrin-sensitivity in salmon lice collected from fish farms along the Norwegian coast. Linas Johan Hauge Wenghaug, Norwegian University of Live Sciences, Norway. |
|
| 12:00 | Ion channels from salmon lice in frog oocytes - new knowledge on pharmacological properties. Marit Jorgensen Bakke, Norwegian University of Live Sciences, Norway. |
|
| 12:15 | Efficacy of a novel insecticidal formulation for the control of the salmon lice Lepeophtheirus salmonis and Caligus rogercresseyi in Atlantic salmon. Marcela P. Delgado Uribe, SUDVET, Chile. |
|
| 12:30 | A new molecular approach for monitoring pesticide resistance in sea lice (Caligus rogercresseyi) based on gene copy number variants (CNVs). Diego Valenzuela Miranda, INCAR, Chile. |
|
| 12:45 | New oral antiparasitic formulation usage for sea lice as an alternative to the traditional treatments. Pabla Barra, Abbott, Chile. |
|
| 13:00 - 14:30 | Lunch | |
| Session 11: Non -Pharmacological Treatments II | ||
| 14:30 | Technological transition aquaculture: evaluating wellboat performance against traditional Tarpulin methods for control of Caligus rogercresseyi. Daniel F. Jiménez Delgado, Aquabench, Chile. |
|
| 14:45 | Efficacy of natural feed additives for the control of Caligus rogercresseyi in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Marcela P. Delgado Uribe, SUDVET. |
|
| 15:00 | Development of a standardized polyvalent phytogenic product with multi-stage efficacy as a treatment for Caligus rogercresseyi. Margarita del Pilar González G., Universidad San Sebastián, Chile. |
|
| 15:15 | Salmon lice dislodged in delousing of farmed salmon can survive and reattach to new fish. Sussie Dalvin, Institute of Marine Research, Norway. |
|
| 15:30 | Drivers of sea lice consumption in lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus): effects of prey availability, lumpfish size, and deployment strategy. Sandra Ljósá Østerø, FIRUM, Faroe Islands. |
|
| 15:45 | Assessment of different kind of shielding skirt to reduce Caligus rogercresseyi infestation in salmon farming sites in southern Chile. Jorge Mancilla Schulz, MOWI, Chile. |
|
| 16:00 - 16:30 | Coffee break | |
| Session 12: Management and regulations | ||
| 16:30 | Assessing governance influence on sustainable sea lice management: an aquaculture governance indicators (AGIs) approach across key salmon-producing nations. Rolando Ibarra, Monterrey Bay Aquarium, USA. |
|
| 16:45 | Mobile lice detach during crowding but can be retained by fine-meshed crowding net. Sussie Dalvin, Institute of Marine Research, Norway. |
|
| 17:00 | Impact of antiparasitic treatments on the efficacy of best management practices and sanitary tools in Chilean salmon aquaculture evidence from the Pincoy initiative. Pablo Ibieta Hillerns, Pincoy Project, Chile. |
|
| 17:15 | Balancing regulation and sustainability - managing salmon lice in Irelands organic aquaculture sector. Neil Ruane, Marine Institute, Ireland. |
|
| 17:30 - 18:00 | Conference wrap-up and SeaLice2025 Awards | |
| 20:00 | Official Dinner | |
| Thursday, december 04th |
09:00 - 12:00 | Official Tours “Vicente Pérez Rosales” National Park |
| 12:30 - 14:00 | Brunch. | |
| 14:30 - 16:30 | Social event - “Patagonian Evening”. Outdoors Activities and free time. |
|
| 17:00 | Arrival in Puerto Varas. | |
Poster Session
| Topic | Authors | ABSTRACT |
|---|---|---|
| Fish welfare | Rudy Suarez Nuñez | Critical evaluation of nociceptive assessment tools used to estimate animal welfare in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) infested with caligus rogercresseyi. |
| Xuhang Wu | Targeting sea lice with ai and reverse vaccinology: oral vaccine antigen discovery for Atlantic salmon. | |
| Genetics and genome | Alvaro Gallardo | Aquaculture biotechnology and genomics laboratory, 12 years of research on caligus rogercresseyi. |
| Rodrigo Vidal | Unveiling the role of RNA editing and lncRNA splicing after infestation with sea lice (Caligus rogercresseyi) in Atlantic salmon. | |
| Modelling and epidemiology | Francisco Bravo | Modeling dynamics of adult female lice at salmon farming sites in eastern Canada: a stochastic, state-based approach. |
| Non-Pharmacological treatments | Christian Correa | comparative sensitivity of Caligus rogercresseyi to Lyptus plus®, Rosseus plus® and hydrogen peroxide. |
| Javiera Briones | Evaluation of Pichia pastoris expressing IPath antigen as a functional additive in Atlantic salmon for sea lice control. | |
| Karina Gajardo | efficacy of different treatments against Caligus: a Chilean field experience. | |
| Marcela Paz Delgado Uribe | Botanical-based strategies for sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) control: in vitro and in vivo assessment in Atlantic salmon. | |
| Marcela Paz Delgado Uribe | Non-pharmacological approaches against Caligus rogercresseyi and their impact on health and animal welfare in Atlantic salmon. | |
| Marcela Paz Delgado Uribe | Evaluation of five botanical formulations with antiparasitic effect against Caligus rogercresseyi via feed. | |
| Mateo Costa Inostroza | Transcriptome survey of precision probiotics against Caligus rogercresseyi. | |
| Pharmacological treatments | Marcela Paz Delgado Uribe | Evaluation of five botanical formulations with antiparasitic effect against Caligus rogercresseyi via feed. |
| Margarita Gonzalez Gomez | Effects of cypermethrin and deltamethrin on hatching and survival of sea lice larvae of Caligus rogercresseyi. | |
| Mélanie Brunelle | Derivation of a therapeutic dose for a novel parasiticide's use in pivotal field trials. | |
| Sea lice biology and ecology | Gunnvor a Nordi | the contribution of host transfer to the infection dynamics of caligus elongatus and Lepeophtheirus salmonis in a salmon farming network. |
| Maja Hatlebakk | salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) from submerged salmon farms: larvae development and response to pressure between family groups. | |
| Margarita González Gómez | Effects of in vitro pH variation on biological-behavioral aspects of sea lice (Caligus rogercresseyi). | |
| Melinka Mancilla | Re-evaluating the development rate of the different stages of Caligus rogercresseyi under controlled conditions. | |
| Antonio Casuso | Transcriptomic and morphological changes triggered by salinity and temperature in Caligus rogercresseyi copepodites. | |
| Wild fish interaction | Astrid Raunsgard | Validating tolerance limits to lice in wild salmon. |
| Rachel Paterson | Evaluating the effect of sea lice from aquaculture on wild sea trout, the anadromous brown trout. | |
| Rosa Maria Serra-Llinares | Investigation of sessile sea lice on Atlantic salmon post-smolts reveals substantial predominance of Lepeophtheirus salmonis compared to Caligus elongatus. | |
| Rosa Maria Serra-Llinares | Sea lice monitoring on pink salmon in Norway. | |
| Rune Nilsen | The Norwegian salmon lice surveillance program (NALO): methods and findings from the last decade of monitoring wild salmonids. |
Registration
General information
- Researcher: This category is reserved for researchers from research centers and universities who are submitting abstracts to the Conference.
- Student: Please send a student certificate to pagos@intesal.cl to validate your registration, otherwise, you will be required to pay the full price of general admission.
- SalmonChile partner: This category is reserved for attendees from SalmonChile partner companies.
- Bank transfer:
- Only transfers from chilean attendees are accepted.
- The transfer receipt must be sent to pagos@intesal.cl within the next 3 days.
Payment methods
Registration categories
| Until october 23rd | Starting october 24th | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLP | USD | CLP | USD | |
| Researcher | 650.000 | 650,00 | 750.000 | 750,00 |
| Student | 270.000 | 270,00 | 350.000 | 350,00 |
| General admission | 770.000 | 770,00 | 850.000 | 850,00 |
| SalmonChile partner | 650.000 | 650,00 | 750.000 | 750,00 |
Puerto Varas
Photo source: Dirección de Turismo Puerto Varas
General Information
- Location: Shore of Llanquihue Lake in southern Chile. To reach Puerto Varas from outside Chile, you'll typically fly into Santiago (SCL), then fly to Puerto Montt (PMC), and finally take a bus, taxi, or drive the short distance (about 20 km) from Puerto Montt to Puerto Varas.
- Weather: Spring in Puerto Varas is comfortable and partly cloudy. The temperature ranges between 6°C and 18°C.
- Currency exchange: The currency of Chile is the Chilean peso (CLP). 1 USD is about 950 CLP.
- Conference Center: Enjoy Hotel, located just a 6-minute walk from downtown Puerto Varas.
- Some interesting links:
Information
Accommodation Information
Hotel Enjoy (event venue)
Special rate: CLP $120,000 + IVA per night (double bed or two beds room)
- Net Rate + VAT. Foreigners exempt from paying VAT tax, presenting passport and tourism card delivered by immigration.
General Conditions:
- For direct payments at the Hotel, passengers must provide a credit card to guarantee their room reservation.
- No shows will be charge to the credit card.
- Cancellations free of charge up to 30 days before the check-in date.
Download and complete the booking form and send it to reservas.py@enjoy.cl, CC alejandra.vasquezb@enjoy.cl
Other accommodation options
To explore other accommodation options, follow this link: https://www.visitpuertovaras.cl/en/hotels/
Address
Enjoy Hotel, Klenner 349, Puerto Varas, Chile
Call Us
+56 652 256666
Email Us
sealice2025@intesal.cl