ELDI enters Chile’s salmon market with sea lice control technologies as new research advances parasite understanding

NORWAY – The Norwegian-Icelandic aquaculture equipment group ELDI has entered Chile’s salmon sector with two new technologies designed to reduce sea lice pressure, as the industry continues to seek more effective and sustainable control strategies.

ELDI, formed in early 2026 through the merger of Vónin Aquaculture, Mørenot Aquaculture and Fiizk Protection under the Hampiðjan Group, launched the systems at the AquaSur exhibition in Puerto Montt from March 24–26. 

The move marks the company’s entry into one of the world’s largest salmon-producing regions, where sea lice remain a major production and cost challenge.

The first system, Marwall, integrates deep skirting with hydrotube units that pump water from approximately 25 metres below the surface. 

By circulating and oxygenating deeper water, the system reduces infestations of Caligus rogercresseyi without relying on chemical treatments.

The second technology, Bio Seize, is a deep cone-shaped net designed to collect faeces and organic waste from salmon cages and transport it to the surface using low-energy suction. 

The system is intended to improve environmental management while supporting fish health.

According to the company, the technologies could reduce lice treatments per production cycle by 60–70%, a significant improvement in a market where farms typically carry out between eight and twelve treatments per cycle. 

Reducing treatment frequency is a key priority for producers aiming to lower costs, improve fish welfare and meet tightening environmental regulations.

Sea lice infestations remain one of the most persistent challenges in global aquaculture, affecting productivity, increasing mortality risks and raising production costs. 

The Chilean salmon industry, one of the largest globally, has been under increasing pressure to adopt non-chemical and preventive solutions to manage the parasite.

New research highlights early-stage targets for lice control

Alongside industry innovation, new scientific findings are providing deeper insight into how sea lice interact with their hosts. 

A study led by the University of Stirling has identified significant differences in the secretions produced by salmon lice at different stages of their lifecycle, opening potential pathways for improved control strategies.

The research, conducted in collaboration with the Moredun Research Institute and published in Veterinary Parasitology, identified 143 secretory proteins in the larval stage of the parasite that are absent in adult lice. 

These proteins are believed to play a role in helping the parasite infect fish and evade immune responses.

Salmon lice feed on the skin, mucus and blood of fish, creating open wounds that can lead to secondary infections and reduced product quality. 

Understanding the biology of the parasite at its earliest stage is considered critical for developing more effective interventions.

The study suggests that targeting the larval stage, particularly the infectious copepodid phase, could provide new opportunities for vaccine development and other biological control methods. 

Researchers used advanced analytical techniques, including liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, to identify and compare protein compositions across lifecycle stages.

The findings also identified proteins, such as serpins, known to suppress host immune responses in other parasites, reinforcing their potential role in infection and survival.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.