A Review of the Sealworm Problem: Biology, Implications and Solutions

Abstract

The life cycle and geographic distribution of the sealworm (Phocanema decipiens) are reviewed. Also discussed is the temperature tolerance of the third stage larva as well as its public health implications. It is concluded that there ought to be no public health hazards associated with the sealworm as long as people continue to process seafood properly. Correlation between the increase in the grey seal population and the increase in the rate of sealworm infestation in cod over the last decades as well as possible biological solutions to the problem also are discussed. Rate of infection is similar to Eastern Canadian waters, British waters, of the coast of Norway, and around Iceland. Also reviewed are the current detection methods, their limitations, potential alternative technique as well as the properties of the sealworm involved. Pictures taken, with the Scanning Laser Acoustic Microscope, of sealworm embedded in 2.5- and 4-cm thick cod tissue, are presented.