MANAGING PESTS IN AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/381,365, filed October 28, 2022, and entitled “PEST CONTROL DEVICE AND METHODS FOR MANAGING PESTS IN AQUACULTURE SYSTEMS,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The disclosure herein relates to the use of pest control devices for reducing, preventing, or controlling pests within aquaculture systems. More specifically, the pest control devices herein include one or more compositions including pest control agents for attracting pests away from fish populations as a tool to reduce the overall negative health impacts on the fish caused by infection and infestation and in turn to improve the health of fish and reduction of opportunistic infection.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Aquaculture of various fish species provides a critical food source for a growing world population. In 2021, it was estimated that about 175 million metric tons of fish were produced for global consumption. An increase in demand for fish by consumers has resulted in an increase in the number of aquaculture farms around the world. With an increase in aquaculture farms comes an increased need for sustainable technologies for safe and effective pest control in farmed fish populations.

[0004] Many pests exist that are a threat to fish raised in aquaculture systems. For example, farmed fish raised in captivity are susceptible to various parasitic infections and infestations, including from ectoparasites and endoparasites. If left uncontrolled, parasitic infections and infestations can cause disease, developmental delays, and malformities in the fish. Such infections and infestations have significant impacts on the health and growth of the fish and can lead to significant production and economic losses for farmers. Parasitic infection often weakens the host fish, which makes them susceptible and more likely to suffer detrimental effects from other causes beyond the initial damage from the parasite. In particular, various types of farmed fish, such as farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salctr . are prone to infections and infestations with a number of species of ectoparasites, an example being the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis. Similar types of sea lice infect various other types of fish throughout the world, including throughout the Pacific Ocean along the coast of Asia. These types of parasites can have significant impacts on the marketability of farmed fish due to the negative impacts the parasites have on the appearance of the fish, including marks, blemishes, and sores on the skin and in the muscle of the fish. The wounds caused by feeding activities can lead to reduced growth, osmoregulatory failure, and even mortality in small fish. Sea lice can exert an immunomodulatory effect on their fish hosts and as a result they can evade any innate or adaptive immunity of the host. Further, fish stressed and immunocompromised by lice experience disruptions in wound healing and can become predisposed to secondary microbial infections. Finally, sea lice present in farmed fish populations produce a large number of eggs that can get carried by water currents into the open sea thus posing a risk to wild salmonid populations and neighboring fish farms. Some countries, such as Norway, regulate the maximum allowable number of adult female lice on salmon to from 0.2 to 0.5 female lice per fish, putting additional pressures on farmers to control the pests.

[0005] Controlling parasites costs the global aquaculture industry greater than $750 million USD a year due to the need to purchase agents such as parasiticides and expensive equipment, lost productivity from starvation and underfeeding associated with physical delousing systems, excess mortality due to physical delousing systems, and the further need to invest in personnel time for the management, control, and research of new parasite management and control methods. In many cases, farmers must monitor their fish to keep sea lice within pre-determined thresholds set by each region, and when necessary, they must cull fish to prevent suffering and the spread of the parasites, further contributing to economic losses. The use of various first generation parasiticides, including chemotherapeutants such as azamethiphos, cypermethrin, deltamethrin, diflubenzuron, emamectin benzoate, and hydrogen peroxide, have been shown to have negative effects on the fish after long-term use. Some negative effects include a failure of the fish to grow to their full size due to various reasons, including fasting before or after the physical delousing systems, refusal to ingest various agents, and reduced appetite. Further, the use of such antiparasitic agents has caused concern by consumers about resistance and the potential for residual antiparasitic agents left in the flesh of the fish or in the environment.

[0006] Efforts to control such pest infections or infestations often rely on the use of physical removal methods or first-generation chemotherapeutic agents, but such systems can require large capital investments, can require time-intensive methods, and can cause excess adverse health issues and death for the fish. While such control systems have their usefulness in the industry, there exists a need for a non-invasive solution to control pests in aquaculture systems that are do not induce further health issues to fish present in such systems.

SUMMARY

[0007] The present disclosure provides a pest control device including a device body and a pest control agent in an amount effective for reducing, preventing, or controlling one or more types of pest.

[0008] In an aspect, the pest control agent includes a neem extract rich in azadirachtin A.

[0009] In an aspect, the neem extract rich in azadirachtin A includes from 15 wt. % to 33 wt. % azadirachtin A

[0010] In an aspect, the pest control agent is coated on or embedded in an exterior surface of the pest control device.

[0011] In an aspect, the pest control agent is coated on or embedded in an interior surface of the pest control device.

[0012] In an aspect, the pest control agent further includes one or more attractants in an amount effective to lure the one or more types of pest to the pest control device.

[0013] In an aspect, the attractant includes a semiochemical attractant or pheromone attractant. [0014] In an aspect, the pest control device can further include a naturally derived mucus from a species of fish belonging to one or more families selected from the group including of Cyprinidae, Cichlidae, Pangasiidae, Sciaenidae, Serranidae, Carangidae, Sparidae, Lateolabracidae, Moronidae, Mugilidae, Cypriniformes, Latidae, Eleotridae, Tilapiini, and Salmonidae.

[0015] In an aspect, the pest control device can further include a synthetic mucus that mimics naturally derived mucus from a species of fish belonging to one or more families selected from the group including of Cyprinidae, Cichlidae, Pangasiidae, Sciaenidae, Serranidae, Carangidae, Sparidae, Lateolabracidae, Moronidae, Mugilidae, Cypriniformes, Latidae, Eleotridae, Tilapiini, and Salmonidae.

[0016] In an aspect, the pest control device can further include including a nutrient source in an amount effective to provide nutrition to the pests over the course from 0 to 30 days.

[0017] In an aspect, the pest control agent is present in an amount effective to repel or kill the pests.

[0018] In an aspect, the pest control device is shaped like a fish.

[0019] In an aspect, the pest control device is shaped like a square, a rectangle, a star, a hexagon, a trapezoid, a circle, a cube, a cylinder, a sphere, a cone, a torus, or a pyramid. [0020] In an aspect, the pest control device further includes one or more sensors including a visual sensor, a tactile sensor, a chemical sensor, a motion sensor, an image sensor, or a photo sensor.

[0021] In an aspect, the pest control device further includes one or more video cameras disposed about the device body.

[0022] In an aspect, the pest control device is configured for reducing, preventing, or controlling a pest infection or infestation that is an ectoparasite infection or infestation, or an endoparasite infection or infestation.

[0023] In an aspect, the pest control device is configured for reducing, preventing, or controlling a pest infection or infestation that is a sea lice infection or infestation, or a copepod infection or infestation.

[0024] In an aspect, the neem extract rich in azadirachtin A used in the pest control device is obtained by a method including the steps of providing neem seeds; crushing the neem seeds; extracting azadirachtin from the crushed seeds with water; adding a second extraction solution that includes a non-aqueous solvent which is not miscible with water and has a higher solubility of azadirachtin than water; or a surfactant having a turbidity temperature between 20 °C and 80 °C; and recovering the concentrated azadirachtin from the second extraction solution.

[0025] In an aspect, the neem extract rich in azadirachtin A does not comprise neem oil.

[0026] The present disclosure provides an aquaculture system including one or more pest control devices and one or more sea cages. Each pest control device includes a device body and a pest control agent in an amount effective for reducing, preventing, or controlling one or more types of pest.

[0027] In an aspect, the sea cages of the aquaculture system includes one or more open sea cages.

[0028] In an aspect, the sea cages of the aquaculture system includes one or more semienclosed sea cages.

[0029] In an aspect, the one or more pest control devices are disposed within one or more sea cages within the aquaculture system.

[0030] In an aspect, the one or more pest control devices are disposed exterior to one or more sea cages within the aquaculture system.

[0031 ] In an aspect, the one or more pest control devices are disposed within one or more open sea cages or semi-enclose sea cages, and where the pest control devices are configured to float freely within the open sea cages or semi-enclose sea cages. [0032] In an aspect, the one or more pest control devices are anchored around the exterior of the one or more sea cages.

[0033] The present disclosure provides a method of reducing, preventing, or controlling a pest infection or infestation in an aquaculture system. The method can include deploying one or more pest control devices within an aquaculture system, wherein each pest control device includes a device body and a pest control agent in an amount effective for reducing, preventing, or controlling one or more types of pest. The method can include administering to pests present within the aquaculture system an amount of pest control agent effective to repel or kill the pests via the pest control device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0034] The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various aspects discussed herein. Aspects may be more completely understood in reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0035] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the lifecycle of the salmon louse

Lepeophtheirus salmonis in accordance with various aspects herein.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a pest control device in accordance with various aspects herein.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a pest control device in accordance with various aspects herein.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a pest control device in accordance with various aspects herein.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a pest control device in accordance with various aspects herein.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an interior portion of a cross-sectional view of a pest control device in accordance with various aspects herein.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of an interior portion of a cross-sectional view of a pest control device in accordance with various aspects herein.

[0042] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of components within an interior portion of a pest control device in accordance with various aspects herein.

[0043] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of components of a pest control device in accordance with various aspects herein. [0044] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of an aquaculture system in accordance with various aspects herein.

[0045] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of an aquaculture system in accordance with various aspects herein.

[0046] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an aquaculture system in accordance with various aspects herein.

[0047] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of an aquaculture system in accordance with various aspects herein.

[0048] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of an aquaculture system in accordance with various aspects herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Reference will now be made in detail to certain aspects of the disclosed subject matter, examples of which are illustrated in part in the accompanying drawings. While the disclosed subject matter will be described in conjunction with the enumerated claims, it will be understood that the exemplified subject matter is not intended to limit the claims to the disclosed subject matter.

[0050] As discussed herein, the aquaculture industry relies on multiple approaches to contain and control various pests in the environment in which farmed fish are raised. While various physical delousing systems and chemical agents exist to prevent infection and infestation of farmed fish with pests, these often result in significant morbidity and mortality in the fish populations. A need for a non-invasive mechanism exists that can respond to an increase in pest within a population of fish without causing additional damage to the fish quality and quantity within an aquaculture system. The present disclosure provides for pest control devices and methods of use for drawing the pests described herein away from the fish. The pest control devices and methods herein provide a passive management and control mechanism to decrease the numbers of pests within and adjacent to an aquaculture system that would otherwise find and attach to fish within the system.

[0051] As used herein, the term “infection” can refer to a condition where a pestilent organism, including the various pests defined elsewhere herein, can invade any internal or external portion of a host organism’s body such that the host organism experiences harm, and where the pestilent organism uses components of the host organism to sustain itself, reproduce, or colonize the host organism. [0052] As used herein, the term “infestation” can refer to the presence of an abnormally large number of pests as defined herein, where the pests are concentrated in a region in numbers that can cause damage or disease through infection of a host organism.

[0053] As used herein, the term “pest” can refer to any organism that is detrimental to the health, value, or appearance of another organism. The term pest can include, but is not to be limited to, one or more of various parasites including worms, helminths, flukes, lice, mites; one or more species of bacteria; one or more viruses; one or more type of fungi; and various protozoa (e.g., amoeba).

[0054] As used herein, the term “parasite” can refer to one or more species of ectoparasite or endoparasite. As used herein, the term “endoparasite” can refer to organisms that inhabit one or more internal niches of another organism. For example, an endoparasite can inhabit one or more of the tissues, organs, or systems of a host organism. For example an endoparasite can inhabit the gut, blood, or both, of a host organism. As used herein, the term “ectoparasite” can refer to organisms that inhabit or occupy an external niche of another species. For example, an ectoparasite can inhabit or occupy the surface of a host species. In the case of fish, ectoparasites can inhabit the skin of the fish where they sometimes lodge between scales, and they further can feed off of the mucus, blood, skin, gills, muscle, or any combination thereof. Ectoparasites can include species belonging to the phylum Arthropoda. As such, the term ectoparasites further can include crustaceans and one or more species of sea lice that inhabit fish hosts. In an aspect, the ectoparasites can include one or more species of copepod.

[0055] As used herein, the term “pest control agent” can refer to an agent for reducing, preventing, or controlling an infection or infestation caused or contributed to by one or more pests. In various aspects, the pest control agents described herein can refer to an agent for reducing, preventing, or controlling an infection or infestation caused by one or more endoparasites or ectoparasites.

[0056] As used herein, the term “semiochemical compound” refers to one or more behaviormodifying chemicals produced by an organism that can affect the behavior of that same species of organism or the behavior of a different species of organism. A semiochemical compound can include one or more types of pheromones, allomones, kairomones, synomones, any of which can function as either an attractant or repellant, or both. Target Fish and Pests

[0057] The pest control devices provided herein can be utilized in an aquaculture system where any fish that is susceptible to infection or infestation by one or more pest is present. For example, the pest control devices can be used in aquaculture as a complement to other methods for any farmed fish including, for example, commercially relevant fish species. For example, the pest control devices provided herein can be suitable for use with any of freshwater fish, brackish fish, or saltwater fish. The pest control devices can be used in farms raising any species belonging to the families Cyprinidae, Cichlidae, Pangasiidae, Sciaenidae, Serranidae, Carangidae, Sparidae, Lateolabracidae, Moronidae, Mugilidae, Cypriniformes, Latidae, Eleotridae, Tilapiini and Salmonidae. As such, the pest control devices herein can be used in aquaculture systems raising fish belonging to any of the genera within these families and in particular, those species that are farmed for human or animal consumption. For example, and without limitation, the pest control devices described herein can be used to feed species belonging to the genera Salmo and/or Oncorhynchus . In particular, the pest control devices can be used to control pests in populations of wild or farmed salmon or trout species, including, for example, any of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar Pacific salmon, Char, or Rainbow trout. Moreover, the pest control devices can be used as for other fish species within the aquaculture industry such as sea bass, bream, grouper, pompano, and tuna, as well as in the pet and decorative fish industries, for example for pest control in goldfish (Carassius auratus).

[0058] Pests of the target fish herein can include ectoparasites including species belonging to the phylum Arthropoda. Susceptible arthropods include various copepods that include many species of sea lice that inhabit fish hosts. By way of example, in the case of fish belonging to the family Salmonidae (e.g., Salmo and/or Oncorhynchus spp.), the pest control devices provided herein can control sea lice infections, sea lice infestations, copepod infections, copepod infestations, or any combinations thereof. The pest control agents provided in the pest control devices herein can control ectoparasites including parasitic crustaceans, also referred to as copepods, belonging to Argulus ssp. or Caligus ssp. In particular, the pest control agent used in the pest control devices described herein can be effective at controlling copepod infections and infestations of one or more types of farmed fish. As used herein, the term “copepod” refers to a group of crustaceans found in fresh water and in seawater, and which have one or more parasitic phases of their life cycle. Unless otherwise noted, the term copepod can refer to any of the various species of sea lice as described herein. [0059] A species of copepod that is an ectoparasite of Atlantic salmon belongs to the Lepeophtheirus genus and is known as the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis. As used herein, it will be appreciated that the term “sea louse” refers to the singular form and the term “sea lice” refers to the plural form. Each term can be used interchangeably unless otherwise noted. Lepeophtheirus salmonis are a species of copepod ectoparasites that primarily live on salmon, including Atlantic and Pacific salmon, and sometimes on sea trout. Other types of copepod ectoparasites infecting fish belonging to the family Salmonidae include Caligus clemensi, Caligus elongatus, and Caligus rogercresseyi. Sea lice, including those from the genera Lepeophtheirus and Caligus, are ectoparasites which feed off the blood, mucus, muscle, and skin of various salmon species.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 1, the life cycle of Lepeophtheirus salmonis (i.e., L. salmonis) is shown in accordance with various aspects herein. Various aspects of FIG. 1 have been adapted from Sea Lice Research Centre, 2020, "SLRC - Life cycle of the salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis ", https://doi.org/10.18710/GQTYYL, DataverseNO, VI. The life cycle of L. salmonis is complex and consists of eight distinct life stages. The nauplius stage begins upon egg hatching and includes two distinct stages, including the nauplius 1 stage and the nauplius 2 stage, shown as 100 and 102, respectively. The nauplius 1 stage 100 and nauplius 2 stage 102 ofZ. salmonis drift passively in water where, in general, both stages are about 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm in length and they are relatively translucent in color. The nauplius 1 stage 100 and nauplius 2 stage 102 exist for about 52 hours and 175 hours, respectively, in temperatures of up to about 15 °C. Upon molting from the nauplius 2 stage 102, L. salmonis transitions into the infective copepodid stage 104 at approximately 10 days of age, with the understanding that development at any life stage can depend on a number of environmental factors, including but not to be limited to temperature, salinity, light hours, and the like. L. salmonis in the copepodid stage 104 are approximately from 0.7 mm to 1.0 mm in length. In the copepodid stage 104, L. salmonis generally attaches to fish along its fins or scales. After attachment, L. salmonis further molts to the chalimus 1 stage 106. In the chalimus 1 stage 106, L. salmonis attaches to the host fish more firmly by way of a frontal filament. The chalimus 1 life stage typically lasts approximately 10 days. The L. salmonis life cycle continues with a molting from chalimus 1 stage 106 to the chalimus 2 stage 108 while remaining firmly attached to the fish. During the chalimus 1 stage 106 and the chalimus 2 stage 108, the L. salmonis is an average length from 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm. The chalimus 2 life stage typically lasts approximately 10 days. [0061] Following both chalimus stages, L. salmonis molts further into the pre-adult stage where L. salmonis becomes mobile and able to swim or move around the fish surface. At the preadult stage, sexual development begins to differentiate between the females and males. The preadult stage consists of 2 distinct stages, where males develop from chalimus 2 stage 108 into the pre-adult 1 male stage 110 and females develop into the pre-adult 1 female stage 112. The females spend approximately 10 days as the pre-adult 1 female stage 112 and spend approximately 12 days at the pre-adult 2 female stage 116. The males spend approximately 8 days as the pre-adult 1 male stage 110 and spend approximately 9 days at the pre-adult 2 male stage 114. From the pre-adult 1 stages, the sexes continue through development into the pre-adult 2 male stage 114 and the pre- adult 2 female stage 116. During the pre-adult stages, L. salmonis grows to an average length of about 2.5 mm to 3.5 mm. In the final adult stage, the adult male 118 and adult female 120 are distinguishable by size and phenotypic characteristics. Namely, the adult female 120 is from 8 mm to 20 mm in length, including two egg strings 122 visible off the posterior aspect of the organism. In contrast, the adult male 118 is from 5 mm to 7 mm in length.

[0062] On average, L. salmonis can live for approximately up to 215 days for a full life cycle. It will be appreciated that each stage of the L. salmonis life cycle can be dependent on temperature, salinity of the water, water currents, pollution levels, and various additional environmental factors. Thus, the complete life cycle of L. salmonis can be from 32 days up to 215 days depending on the fluctuations in such external factors.

[0063] Thus, in various aspects, the disclosure herein provides a pest control device including a pest control agent capable of any of reducing, preventing, or controlling Lepeophtheirus or Caligus infections or infestations. A Lepeophtheirus infection or infestation can be caused or contributed by the salmon louse, Lepeophtheirus salmonis. A Caligus infection or infestation can be caused or contributed to by the sea lice, Caligus clemensi. Caligus elongatus, and Caligus rogercresseyi. In various aspects, the pest control device can be used in aquaculture systems rearing species belonging to the family Salmonidae. For example, the pest control devices herein can be used in aquaculture systems for Salmo and/or Oncorhynchus spp. However, it will be appreciated that the pest control devices herein can be used in aquaculture systems for any fish that is susceptible to a Lepeophtheirus or Caligus infection or infestation

Pest Control Devices

[0064] The pest control devices herein can include those having many shapes, sizes, colors, and configurations. Referring now to FIG. 2, a pest control device 200 is shown in accordance with various aspects herein. Pest control device 200 can be in the form of a fish, where the fish can be configured to assume the same appearance as the species of fish being farmed in the aquaculture system. It will be appreciated that the pest control device 200 can include any shape or size and does not have to be formed into the shape of a fish. For example, the pest control device 200 can assume any three-dimensional shape including a sphere, a rectangle, a rhombus, a cuboid, a torus, a cone, a cylinder, a star, a heart, a pyramid, a triangle, a square, an ovoid, a circle, and the like. By way of example, FIGS. 3-5 show various configurations of a pest control device in accordance with the aspects herein. The pest control device shown in FIG. 3 includes a device in the shape of a rectangular cuboid 300. The pest control device shown in FIG. 4 includes a device in the shape of a cylinder 400. The pest control device shown in FIG. 5 includes a device in the shape of a sphere 500. It will be appreciated that the pest control devices herein can include disposed thereon one or more logos, artistic designs, decals, and the like. The pest control devices herein can include a pest control agent for reducing, preventing, or controlling or preventing one or more types of pest, where the pest control agent includes at least one pest control agent, as described below. In various aspects, the pest control devices herein can be configured for reducing, preventing, or controlling a pest infection or infestation that is an ectoparasite infection or infestation, or an endoparasite infection or infestation. In various aspects, the pest control devices herein can be configured for reducing, preventing, or controlling a pest infection or infestation that is a sea lice infection or infestation, or a copepod infection or infestation

[0065] The pest control device 200 can include a device body 201 having an anterior region 202, a posterior region 204, a superior region 206, and an inferior region 208. The pest control device 200 can also include an exterior surface 210 that extends around the pest control device 200 from the anterior region 204 to the posterior region 206, and from the superior region 206 to the inferior region 208. The exterior surface 210 can be a continuous surface or a discontinuous surface about the pest control device 200. The exterior surface 210 can be disposed on a housing 203 configured to separate an exterior region 212 from an interior region 214. In the case of a continuous surface, it will be appreciated that the exterior surface 210 is not disrupted by any additional structures or materials. In the case of a discontinuous surface, it will be appreciated that the exterior surface 210 may be disrupted by one or more additional structures, logos, pores, or other materials. It will be appreciated that the anterior region 202, posterior region 204, superior region 206, and inferior region 208 can be assigned arbitrarily as determined by either the shape of the pest control device 200 or by another predetermined coordinates. [0066] The exterior surface 210 of the pest control device 200 can be made from many different materials. By way of example, the exterior surface 210 can be made from one or more natural polymers such as one or more of collagen, gelatin, chitosan, fibrin, or hyaluronic acid; one or more synthetic polymeric materials such as polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic elastomers, polyvinylchloride, polyamides, polyethylene vinyl acetates, polyvinylidene fluoride, or polydimethylsiloxane; or can be made from cultured epidermal skin grafts. In various aspects, the exterior surface 210 can be made from fish skin explanted from a fish onto the pest control device 200. The exterior surface 210 can be permeable, selectively permeable, or impermeable. By way of example, the exterior surface 210 can be permeable to water, pest control agents, gases, and the like. In various aspects, the exterior surface 210 can be selectively permeable to the pest control agents herein. In various aspects, such as in explanted live tissue, the pest control device can further include various nutrient media, mucus layers, and the like to preserve the health and integrity of the explanted tissue.

[0067] The exterior surface 210 can include one or more pest control agents embedded therein or coated thereon for the pests to consume. The pest control agents can include one or more pest control agents as described elsewhere herein. The pest control agents can be embedded therein or coated thereon the pest control device in an amount effective for reducing, preventing, or controlling one or more types of pests.

[0068] The exterior surface 210 can include one or more nutrient sources embedded therein or coated thereon for the pests to consume and configured to attract the pests to the pest control device. The nutrient source can be present in an amount effective to provide nutrition to the pests over the course from 0 to 30 days. The nutrient source can be present in an amount effective to provide nutrition to the pests for a time greater than 30 days. The exterior surface 210 can include coated thereon or embedded therein one or more types of mucus. The mucus can be a native mucus extracted from species of fish belonging to the family Salmonidae. The mucus can be a synthetic mucus that mimics mucus in form and composition found on species of fish belonging to the family Salmonidae. It will be appreciated that the mucus, either synthetic or naturally derived, can be disposed within a medium such as a natural sponge, a hydrogel matrix, or a semi-permeable polymeric matrix to provide for a slow release of a pest control agent, semiochemical, or pheromone composition. In various aspects, the nutrient sources can include naturally derived mucus or synthetically produced mucus. A naturally derived mucus can include those from a species of fish belonging to one or more families selected from the group including of Cyprinidae, Cichlidae, Pangasiidae, Sciaenidae, Serranidae, Carangidae, Sparidae, Lateolabracidae, Moronidae, Mugilidae, Cypriniformes, Latidae, Eleotridae, Tilapiini, and Salmonidae. In various aspects, a synthetic mucus can include one that mimics naturally derived mucus derived from a species of fish belonging to one or more families selected from the group including of Cyprinidae, Cichlidae, Pangasiidae, Sciaenidae, Serranidae, Carangidae, Sparidae, Lateolabracidae, Moronidae, Mugilidae, Cypriniformes, Latidae, Eleotridae, Tilapiini, and Salmonidae.

[0069] In various aspects, the exterior surface 210 further can include one or more attractants embedded therein or coated thereon. The attractants can be included in an amount or attractant effective to lure the one or more types of pest to the pest control device. It will be appreciated that the pest control devices can lure the pests to the exterior surface 210 of the pest control device as a way to deceive the pests to take a meal from the pest control device rather than a fish host. In various aspects, the attractants can include one or more semiochemical attractants or one or more pheromone attractants. The semiochemical compounds can include one or more semiochemicals that can attract one or more species of wild fish to within the aquaculture system. The semiochemical compounds can include one or more semiochemicals that can attract one or more species of wild fish to the aquaculture system to encourage the wild fish migrating past the aquaculture system to consume the fish feeds described herein. By encouraging the wild fish to consume the fish feeds herein, the potential for pest infection or infestation in the wild fish can be reduced, controlled, or prevented. For example, the semiochemical compounds can include one or more types of pheromones, allomones, kairomones, synomones, any of which can function as either an attractant or repellant, or both. In some aspects, the semiochemical compounds can include a combination of one or more types of pheromones, allomones, kairomones, synomones known to attract wild fish to an aquaculture system. In various aspects, the semiochemical compounds can include wild salmonid pheromones.

[0070] Referring now to FIG. 6, a portion of a pest control device 200 having pores 602 in the exterior surface 210 is shown in accordance with various aspects herein. Pores 602 are shown, where the pores 602 can be large enough to allow the pests described herein to move from an exterior region 212 of the pest control device 200 to an interior region 214. The pores 602 can be defined as apertures through which various sizes of the pests herein can pass, as well as water and other dissolved or non-dissolved solids can pass and as formed within the housing 203 of the pest control device 200. The interior region 214 can span the entire length, width, and height of the pest control device 200 or it can include just a portion of the pest control device 200. In instances where the interior region 214 spans just a portion of the pest control device 200, the interior region 214 can be hermetically sealed off from any additional portions of the pest control device, such as for example various components as discussed elsewhere herein. The interior region 214 can include one or more interior surfaces 604 having one or more pest control agents coated thereon or embedded therein. The interior surfaces can be a single continuous surface, a flat surface, multiple parallel surfaces, multiple staggered baffles, a corrugated surface, or the like. By way of non-limiting example, FIG. 6 shows interior surfaces 604 that are configured in a corrugated pattern and in FIG. 7 show interior surfaces 604 that are configured as a series of parallel surfaces. The interior surfaces 604 can include multiple interior surface pores (not shown) ranging from 0.5 mm up to 25 mm, or in some instances greater than 25 mm. The interior surfaces 604 can include one or more nutrient sources embedded therein or coated thereon for the pests to consume. In various aspects the interior surfaces 604 further can include one or more pest control agents embedded therein or coated thereon as described elsewhere herein. In various aspects, the interior surfaces 604 can further include one or more semiochemical attractants or one or more pheromone attractants embedded therein or coated thereon to draw the pests to the pest control device 200. In various aspects, the interior surfaces 604 can include coated thereon or embedded therein one or more types of mucus. The mucus can be a synthetic mucus that mimics mucus in form and composition found on species of fish belonging to the family Salmonidae.

[0071] In some aspects, the interior surfaces 604 can include one or more light sources that can be suitable for attracting the pests described herein. The light sources can include one or more sources of light having a peak wavelength of about 460 nm, wherein the light source can further emit a range of light having wavelengths from anywhere from 400 nm to 525 nm. The light source can include any light source capable of emitting in the blue light spectrum, such as for example any of a light emitting diode, a UV/VIS light source, a fluorescent light source, a laser, or an array of any of these types of light sources.

[0072] The pores of the housing 203 can range from 0.5 mm to 20 mm. In various aspects, the pores can be configured for size exclusion of the pests such that only various stages of the sea lice can be allowed to pass therethrough. By way of example, the chalimus stage of the L. salmonis has an average length from 1.0 mm to 2.5 mm, and as such the pores can be configured to be from about 0.5 mm to about 3.0 mm to allow for the passage of the chalimus life stages of L. salmonis into the interior region 214 of the pest control device 200. Once the L. salmonis in the chalimus stage are within the interior region 214 of the pest control device 200, they can attach to one or more interior surfaces where they can consume nutrients and/or pest control agent from the pest control device and continue to grow larger into additional developmental stages. As the L. salmonis in the chalimus stage continue to mature into the pre-adult and adult stages of the cycle, and they grow to sizes of greater than 3.0 mm, the configuration of the pores thus prevent or make it more difficult for the matured pests to pass out of the pest control device 200 and back into circulation. It will be appreciated that the pores can be configured to allow passage or prevent passage of any size of pest throughout its lifecycle. In various aspects, as the pests consume the nutrients and pest control agents and as they grow to a size larger than the pores, they will be unable to exit the pores as they detach from the interior surfaces. In other aspects, as the pests consume the nutrients and pest control agents and as they grow, they can die as a result of exposure to the pest control agents and can fall to a holding region within the pest control device 200 and never leave.

[0073] Referring now to FIG. 8, a schematic diagram of components within an interior region 214 of a pest control device are shown in accordance with various aspects herein. The pest control device 200 can include an exterior surface 210. Exterior surface 210 can be disposed on a housing 203. The interior region 214 can be hollow throughout the pest control device 200, or in some aspects, portions of the interior region 214 can be hermetically sealed from other regions of the interior region 214. In various aspects, the interior region 214 can include a number of components or structural materials, including control circuitry 806, which further can include various components 808, 810, 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, and 824 disposed within the housing 203. In various aspects the components can be integrated, while in other aspects the components can be separate. In some aspects, the components can be both integrated and separate. The pest control device 200 can include an antenna for unidirectional or bidirectional wireless data communication, where the wireless data communication can occur over an internet connection or an intranet connection. The pest control device can further include a charging port communicatively coupled to a rechargeable battery contained within the housing 203.

[0074] The various components 808, 810, 812, 814, 816, 818, 820, 822, and 824 can include, but are not to be limited to, a microprocessor, a memory circuit (e.g., random access memory - RAM, and/or read only memory - ROM), recorder circuitry, controller circuitry, telemetry circuitry, artificial intelligence circuitry, machine learning circuitry, a power supply circuit, a battery source, a timing circuit, a recharging circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), camera circuitry, an accelerometer (e.g., a triaxial accelerometer or a piezoelectric accelerometer), a gyroscope, a global positioning system (GPS), and the like. The control circuitry can be in communication with one or more types of sensors disposed on or about the pest control device 200. The sensors can include one or more of a visual sensor, a tactile sensor, a chemical sensor, a motion sensor, an image sensor, or a photo sensor. It will be appreciated that the pest control devices herein can be passive devices, can be battery operated devices, can be powered externally by a power supply, and can be recharged by solar or other energy sources.

[0075] In various aspects, recorder circuitry can be included and configured to record data produced within the aquaculture system environment. The types of data that the recorder circuitry can record to memory include, but are not to be limited to, number of pests in contact with the pest control device per minute, hour, or day; size of pests in contact with the pest control device per minute, hour, or day; rate of attachment of pests to the pest control device; rate of detachment of the pest from the pest control device; residence time of pests on the pest control device surfaces; water temperature; water salinity; water pH; and number of captured and/or killed pests. It will be appreciated that the raw data can be measured and stored into memory for retrieval at a later time. It will further be appreciated that the raw data can be measured, averaged over a given time or predetermined parameter, and transmitted in real time from the pest control device to a computer at a location external the pest control device. The location external the pest control device can include a remote monitoring station, a boat in proximity to the sea cages within an aquaculture system, to a remote device such as a tablet, personal computer, smartphone, and the like.

[0076] Without wishing to be limited to any particular theory, it is believed that the pest control devices, systems, and methods herein can result in a reduction in the total number of lice within any given geographical region that will aid to reduce the infection pressure within the region. The infection pressure can include the total number of sea lice at any given time in a given region and can further include internal infection pressure within a particular farm and external infection pressure originating from nearby farms. A reduction in infection pressure can be beneficial to both farmed and migrating wild fish populations by reducing, controlling, or preventing the infections and infestations within the aquaculture system. When the infection pressure is lowered farms are able to increase fish production. The increase in fish production, or an increase in fish biomass, increases total productivity of farms during a rearing cycle. A lowered infection pressure can further result in an increase in animal welfare by decreasing the amount of fish handling and exposure to pest control agents or physical delousing systems required over a course of the fish lifespan.

[0077] The pest control devices herein can further include components compatible with artificial intelligence and machine learning that can be utilized for reducing, preventing, or controlling infections and infestations. The pest control devices can be configured to capture and record data produced within the aquaculture system environment for a predetermined time of days, weeks, or months. The recorded data can include one or more data sets, and the pest control device can be configured to analyze the data sets for predictive purposes related to a pest infection or infestation, such as predicting the infection pressure within an aquaculture system, particular sea cage, or time period. The pest control devices can be configured to classify data based on pattern recognition, such as to recognize patterns in pest behavior, pest lifecycle, and pest migration within an aquaculture system. The pest control devices can be configured to inform and/or initiate one or more complementary management methods, such as the use of various medications or administration of the fish feeds described herein.

[0078] The pest control devices herein can further include various components that can provide a mechanism for feedback to the user regarding the status of the pests within an aquaculture system environment. Some exemplary elements of the pest control devices described herein are shown in FIG. 9. The pest control devices herein can gather information through one or more sensors coupled to one or more sensing interfaces. As described above, the pest control devices can include one or more of a visual sensor, a tactile sensor, a chemical sensor, or a photo sensor. A microprocessor 902 can communicate with memory 904 via a bidirectional data bus connection. The memory 904 can include RAM, ROM, or a removable memory source such as a SD card, XD card, SDHC card, USB device, and the like. The microprocessor can also be communicatively coupled to a telemetry interface 906 for communicating data to an external device such as a programmer, a personal computer, a tablet device, a smart phone, a cellular phone, and the like. The telemetry interface can be configured to communicate via a telecommunications network such as the internet, the internet cloud, intranet systems, or other data communications networks.

[0079] The pest control devices herein can include one or more visual sensors 908 and one or more visual sensor channel interfaces 910 that can capture and record visual images from within the aquaculture environment, and that are in bidirectional communication with the microprocessor. The types of images that can be captured by the visual sensors 908 can include still images, video images, video timelapse, and the like. The visual sensors 908 can include one or more of a digital or analog camera, a video camera, a smart camera (e.g., a camera capable of capturing video, still images, and artificial intelligence surveillance data, etc.), closed circuit television cameras, couple-charged devices (CCD), high-speed cameras, low-light cameras, complementary metal oxide semiconductor cameras (CMOS), and the like. It will be appreciated that the visual sensors 908 can include one or more of an integrated processor, various lenses, various bandpass filters, and the like. The visual sensors 908 can be mounted integral with the pest control device housing 203 or can be mounted external to the pest control device housing 203. In various aspects, one or more video cameras can be disposed about the device body of the pest control device. It will be further appreciated that the visual sensors 908 will be rated for working when completely submerged underwater.

[0080] The pest control devices herein can also include one or more tactile sensors 912 and one or more tactile sensor channel interfaces 914, which are in bidirectional communication with the microprocessor. In various aspects, the tactile sensors can include sensors that measure a physical interaction between the pest control device and its environment. Such sensors can include, but are not to be limited to, those that can detect mechanical stimulation at the housing, the exterior surface, or the interior surfaces of the pest control device. Exemplary tactile sensors can include pressure sensors, strain gauge sensors, and biologically similar sensors such as those that resemble finger-tip sensor, hair sensors, and the like.

[0081] The pest control devices herein can also include one or more chemical sensors 916 and one or more chemical sensor channel interfaces 918, which are in bidirectional communication with the microprocessor. In various aspects, the chemical sensors can include a pH sensor for measuring water pH, an analyte sensor to measure the quantity of analyte present in the water, or an analyte sensor to measure local changes in analyte at one or more surfaces of the pest control device. It will be appreciated that the analytes that can be measured by the chemical sensors herein can include dissolved analytes within the water of the aquaculture system, or other analytes secreted by the pests when attached to one or more surfaces of the pest control device.

[0082] The pest control devices herein can also include one or more photo sensors 920 and one or more photo sensor channel interfaces 922, which are in bidirectional communication with the microprocessor. In various aspects, the photo sensors can include photoelectric sensors configured to emit light at a given wavelength to measure the presence of various pests within a given distance from the pest control device. The photo sensors herein can include one or more of a through-beam sensor, a retro-reflective sensor, or a proximity-sensing sensor.

[0083] It will be appreciated that the pest control devices herein can be incorporated into any existing sea cage and feed data monitoring systems, where the feed data monitoring systems are configured to receive data captured by the pest control devices. The pest control devices can be implemented as stand-alone systems or they can be incorporated into other types of pest control systems and methods, such as, for example, one or more chemical agents or one or more physical delousing systems, which can include an aqueous management system, a light-based management system, a thermal management system, a mechanical management system, or a cleaner fish-based management system. Aquaculture Systems

[0084] The pest control devices herein can be implemented as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce, prevent, or control pest infections or infestations in an aquaculture system where farmed fish are raised. The aquaculture system including the pest control devices can be suitable for reducing, preventing, or controlling a pest infection or infestation in an aquaculture system by implementing one or more pest control devices disposed within an aquaculture system. Each pest control device within an aquaculture system can include a device body and a pest control agent for reducing, preventing, or controlling one or more types of pest. An aquaculture system can include one or more sea cages where various types of farmed fish are contained while being raised.

[0085] The pest control devices herein can be configured to be freely disposed within the aquaculture system, can be connected to a component of one or more sea cages, or can be suspended within the aquaculture system by one or more suspension mechanisms. Referring now to FIG. 10, a schematic diagram of an aquaculture system 1000 is shown in accordance with various aspects herein. Aquaculture system 1000 includes a sea cage 1002 where farmed fish 1004 are contained within the confines of the walls of the sea cage. In various aspects, the aquaculture systems 1000 herein can include a plurality of sea cages 1002. In some aspects the number of sea cages can range from 1 to 50 sea cages. In other aspects the number of sea cages can include more than 50 sea cages. In various aspects, the sea cages can be anchored to the bottom of the ocean with one or more cage anchors 1006. In other aspects, the sea cages can be free floating within a region of the ocean. The aquaculture system 1000 can further include a pest control device 200 disposed in proximity to sea cage 1002. In various aspects, the aquaculture system 1000 can include multiple pest control devices 200 disposed in proximity to sea cage 1002. It will be appreciated that the sea cages in the aquaculture systems herein can include open sea cages, semienclosed sea cages, or closed sea cages. The sea cages described herein can include those disposed within the sea, bays, fjords, lakes, or ponds. Sea cages can be disposed in aquaculture systems that include sea water, fresh water, or brackish water.

[0086] The pest control device 200 can be coupled to a sea cage directly or can be coupled to a suspension mechanism such as a buoyant vessel 1008. In various aspects, a buoyant vessel 1008 having pest control device 200 connected thereto can be located within or exterior to sea cage 1002. In some aspects, the pest control device 200 can be located exterior to the sea cage interior. In some aspects, the pest control device 200 can be located within the sea cage interior. The buoyant vessel 1008 can include one or more types of buoyant materials 1010 can be configured to float freely at or near the water surface and to prevent the pest control device 200 from sinking to the ocean floor. The buoyant vessel 1008 further can include a buoyant vessel enclosure 1012 such that the pest control device 200 can be configured to be suspended within the vessel enclosure 1012. The buoyant vessel enclosure 1012 can be physically connected to the buoyant materials 1010. In various aspects, the buoyant vessel can be self-propelled and can include on-board or remote guidance capabilities. By way of example, the buoyant vessel can be in electrical communication with one or more remote control devices. The electrical communication can include a hardwired electrical communication or it can include communication via one or more wireless communication networks. The remote-control devices can include a hand-held device in remote communication via infrared, Bluetooth, or other wireless connection. The remote-control device can further include one or more of a smart phone, laptop computer, tablet computer, and the like. In various aspects, the buoyant vessel can be programmed remotely via the remote-control device or one or more remote programming devices.

[0087] Referring now to FIG. 11 , a schematic diagram of an aquaculture system 1100 is shown in accordance with various aspects herein. Aquaculture system 1100 includes a sea cage 1002 where farmed fish 1004 are contained within the confines of the walls of the sea cage. In the aspect shown in FIG. 11, the pest control device 200 is configured to be directly connected to the buoyant materials 1010 via a connection source 1102. It will be appreciated that the connection source 1102 can be made from a fishing line, a metal chain, a rope, a wire, and the like. In some aspects, the buoyant vessel 1008 can be anchored to the ocean floor by one or more anchors, or it can be tethered to the sea cages 1002 via a connection (not shown) such as a rope, chain, line, or wire.

[0088] A plurality of pest control devices 200 can be distributed within and about an aquaculture system. In various aspects, a plurality of pest control devices 200 can be disposed exterior to the sea cages 1002. In some aspects, a plurality of pest control devices 200 can be disposed interior to the sea cages 1002. In yet other aspects, a plurality of pest control devices 200 can be disposed interior to the sea cages 1002 and disposed exterior to the sea cages 1002. It will be appreciated that many different combinations of pest control devices 200 can be disposed within the interior of the sea cages 1002 or about the exterior of the sea cages 1002.

[0089] Referring now to FIGS. 12-14, various configurations of an aquaculture system having a plurality of pest control devices disposed therein are shown. FIG. 12 shows a top-down view of aquaculture system having a plurality of sea cages 1002 and a plurality of buoyant vessels 1008 coupled to pest control devices 200 (not shown), where it will be appreciated that the pest control devices 200 are obstructed in the top-down views of FIGS. 12-14 and are projected below the plane of the image. The plurality of buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 coupled thereto can be disposed exterior to the interior of the sea cages 1002. The buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 coupled thereto can be directly connected to an exterior wall of the sea cages 1002, or they can be disposed up to 50 meters from the exterior surface of the sea cages 1002. In some aspects, the buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 coupled thereto can be disposed greater than 50 meters from the exterior surface of the sea cages 1002. When multiple pest control devices 200 are disposed within an aquaculture system, they can be disposed at different distances from the sea cages 1002. The buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 coupled thereto can be disposed in a grid, matrix, or other repeating pattern about the sea cages 1002, or the buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 coupled thereto can be disposed randomly about the sea cages 1002.

[0090] FIG. 13 shows an aquaculture system having a plurality of sea cages 1002 and a plurality of buoyant vessels 1008 coupled to pest control devices 200 (not shown). The plurality of buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 coupled thereto are disposed within the interior of the sea cages 1002. It will be appreciated that the buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 coupled thereto can be disposed anywhere within the interior of the sea cages 1002. In various aspects, the pest control devices 200 can be allowed to passively float within the interior region of the sea cages 1002. In some aspects, the buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 coupled thereto can be tethered to an interior wall of the sea cages 1002, or the buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 coupled thereto can be anchored to the ocean floor while disposed within the interior of the sea cages 1002. In some aspects, there can be multiple buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 coupled thereto disposed within one or more sea cages 1002.

[0091] FIG. 14 shows an aquaculture system having a plurality of sea cages 1002 and a plurality of buoyant vessels 1008 coupled to pest control devices 200 (not shown). The plurality of buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 coupled thereto can be disposed within the interior of the sea cages 1002 and can further be disposed exterior to the sea cages 1002. It will be appreciated that the buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 coupled thereto can be disposed anywhere within the interior of the sea cages 1002 or in proximity at the exterior of the sea cages 1002 as described in reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. In various aspects, the buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 coupled thereto can be allowed to passively float within the interior region of the sea cages 1002. In some aspects, the buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 coupled thereto can be tethered to an interior wall of the sea cages 1002, or the buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 coupled thereto can be anchored to the ocean floor while disposed within the interior or about the exterior of the sea cages 1002. In some aspects, there can be multiple buoyant vessels 1008 having pest control devices 200 disposed within one or more sea cages 1002. It will be appreciated that not every sea cage 1002 needs to have a pest control devices 200 disposed therein at all times.

[0092] The pest control devices herein can include an amount of pest control agent in an amount effective to repel or kill pests in an aquaculture system. The aquaculture system can include a pest control device that includes a device body and a pest control agent in an amount effective for reducing, preventing, or controlling one or more types of pest. It will be appreciated that the amount effective can include any amount sufficient to produce an inhibitory effect against the pests. In various aspects, the amount effective can repel or kill the pests. The pest control agent can be present within the exterior surface of the pest control devices, such as within the natural or synthetic polymers, cultured epidermal skin grafts, explanted fish skin, mucus layers, and the like, in an amount effective to repel or kill pests. The pest control agent can further be present in a bulk format within the pest control device in the form of a cake deposit, a hydrogel deposit, a sponge deposit, and the like. When present in a bulk format, the amount of pest control agent can be any amount suitable to provide a concentration of pest control agent effective to produce an inhibitory effect against the pests

[0093] The pest control agent devices and fish feeds can be formulated such that the concentration of the pest control agent available to the pests through the pest control device or fish feeds can be viewed from the perspective of the biomass within the aquaculture system. The concentration of the pest control agent available to the pests through the pest control device or fish feeds can be approximately 0.01-100 mg pest control agent per kg fish biomass/day (mg/kg/day). It will be appreciated that the fish biomass is measured as the weight of fish in a given aquaculture system or a give sea cage. In various aspects, the concentration of the pest control agent available to the pests through the pest control device or fish feeds can be approximately 1-90 mg/kg/day, 1-80 mg/kg/day, 1-70 mg/kg/day, 1-60 mg/kg/day, 5-50 mg/kg/day, 10-40 mg/kg/day, 15-35 mg/kg/day, 20-30 mg/kg/day, 0.01-10 mg/kg/day, or about 0.01-5 mg/kg/day.

[0094] It will be appreciated that a range of approximately 0.01-100 mg/kg/day (e.g., mg pest control agent/kg body weight/day) includes at least 0.01 mg/kg/day, 0.02 mg/kg/day, 0.03 mg/kg/day, 0.04 mg/kg/day, 0.05 mg/kg/day, 0.06 mg/kg/day, 0.07 mg/kg/day, 0.08 mg/kg/day, 0.09 mg/kg/day, 0.10 mg/kg/day, 0.20 mg/kg/day, 0.30 mg/kg/day, 0.40 mg/kg/day, 0.50 mg/kg/day, 0.60 mg/kg/day, 0.70 mg/kg/day, 0.80 mg/kg/day, 0.90 mg/kg/day, 1.0 mg/kg/day, 2.0 mg/kg/day, 3.0 mg/kg/day, 4.0 mg/kg/day, 5.0 mg/kg/day, 6.0 mg/kg/day, 7.0 mg/kg/day, 8.0 mg/kg/day, 9.0 mg/kg/day, 10.0 mg/kg/day, 11.0 mg/kg/day, 12.0 mg/kg/day, 13.0 mg/kg/day, 14.0 mg/kg/day, 15.0 mg/kg/day, 16.0 mg/kg/day, 17.0 mg/kg/day, 18.0 mg/kg/day, 19.0 mg/kg/day, 20.0 mg/kg/day, 25.0 mg/kg/day, 30.0 mg/kg/day, 35.0 mg/kg/day, 40.0 mg/kg/day, 45.0 mg/kg/day, 50.0 mg/kg/day, 55.0 mg/kg/day, 60.0 mg/kg/day, 65.0 mg/kg/day, 70.0 mg/kg/day, 75.0 mg/kg/day, 80.0 mg/kg/day, 85.0 mg/kg/day, 90.0 mg/kg/day, 95.0 mg/kg/day, or 100.0 mg/kg/day, or any amount within a range of any of the forgoing values. It will be appreciated that the fish biomass equivalent is but one measure of providing an amount of pest control agent effective to reduce, prevent, or control a pest population using the pest control agent devices herein.

Pest Control Agents

[0095] The pest control agents suitable for use in the pest control devices herein can adversely affect pests such as sea lice. The pest control agents herein can include any functional agent or active agent that affects, facilitates, or contributes to the eradication or reduction of a pest infection or pest infestation of a fish or population of fish. Additionally, suitable pest control agents can alleviate or improve one or more of the symptoms associated with a pest infection or pest infestation, as a result of reducing, preventing, or controlling an infection or infestation. Pest control agents for use herein can be biologically active to one or more fish pests and for one or more fish species as described herein.

[0096] It will be appreciated that the pest control devices herein are configured to mimic the fish hosts that the pests herein are typically attracted to. When the pests feed on the pest control devices, the pest control agent is transferred to the pests. Upon exposure to and ingestion of the pest control agent through the pest control agents through the synthetic or actual skin, flesh, blood, mucus component of the pest control devices, modulation of pest behavior and life cycle occur to prevent or control the pests. In various aspects, the pests can be repelled or killed by the pest control agents herein. The pest control devices herein can include pest control agent in an amount effective to repel or kill the pests. The pest control agents delivered through the pest control devices can prevent, reduce, or control the number of pests available to infect or infest the fish within the aquaculture system. [0097] Modulation of the pests can have many effects on the pest population, including an ultimate reduction in the number of viable pests available to infect or infest the host fish. Modulation of the pests can include a modulation of the mortality of the pests. It will be appreciated that modulation of the mortality in the pests can include a decrease in the number of viable pests present on the fish or in the fish habitat. Modulation of the pests can further include modulation of pest behavior, including a change in feeding habits, a change in feeding patterns, a change in appetite, a change in mobility patterns, a change in swimming and migration patterns, a change in mating patterns, a change in development, a change in fertility, or any combination thereof, as compared to pests found on control fish not fed a pest control agent. The change in feeding patterns can include a decrease in feeding patterns. The change in appetite can include a decrease in appetite. The change in mobility can include a decrease in mobility. The change in swimming and migration patterns can include a decrease in swimming and migration due to lethargy and lack of energy. The change in mating patterns can include a decrease in mating patterns, which in turn can lead to a decrease in development or production of offspring. The change in development can include an inhibition of development due to an inhibition of the molting process leading to a decrease in development in the pests or a delay in development in the pests. The change in fertility can include an inhibition of or delay in egg production, an inability to produce viable eggs, or a reduction in the total number of gravid female pests.

[0098] In various aspects, modulation of the pests can include a change in development of the pests through their life cycle, including modulation of growth or progression through a particular life stage, modulation of growth or progression from one life stage to the next life stage (e.g., modulating molting), modulation of egg production, modulation of fertility, or any combination thereof. Modulation of growth or progression through a particular life stage can include halting the growth of the organism and preventing further physical development including a decrease in size or sexual development. In some aspects, modulation of growth or progression from one life stage to the next life stage can include preventing the pests from transitioning from one life stage to the next by inhibiting the molting process. Modulation of egg production can include decreasing the production of eggs by females, which can further result in a decrease in fertility of the adult females. Modulation of fertility can include decreasing the fertility of both female and male pests.

[0099] In various aspects, the administration of pest control agents to fish as described herein further can have a beneficial effect on the fish. The administration of the pest control agents can impart a beneficial effect by improving fish welfare by reducing the parasitic load, or total number of parasites, in a given environment around the fish. The administration of the pest control agents can impart a beneficial effect by a reduction in the overall mortality within a fish population by lessening or reducing the impact of a parasitic infection or infestation on the fish population. The administration of the pest control agents can impart a beneficial effect by minimizing or altogether eliminating the impact on the quality and quantity of fish flesh within the fish population.

[0100] The fish feeds described herein can include, or be supplemented with, one or more pest control agents. Where a fish feed includes at least two or more different pest control agents, each pest control agent can be individually active (or biologically active) and capable of modulating one or more of the behavior, development, or fertility of a pest. Alternatively, the pest control agents can be a component of a pest control agent composition that can be fed separately to fish. Each pest control agent can be individually effective against one or more different pests as described herein.

[0101] Each pest control agent herein can be individually capable of controlling one or more of a parasitic, bacterial, viral, fungal, or protozoal infection or infestation. Therefore, the pest control agents herein can include an antiparasitic agent, an antibiotic agent, an antibacterial agent, an antiviral agent, an antifungal agent, an antiprotozoal agent, or any combinations thereof. It should be understood that any given pest control agent for use in all of the aspects herein can be referred to as exhibiting one or more antiparasitic effects (e.g., anti-ectoparasite, antiendoparasite), antibacterial effects, antiviral effects, antifungal effects, or antiprotozoal effects. In various aspects, the pest control agents herein can be referred to as having an inhibitory effect including an antiparasitic effect, where the antiparasitic effect can further include an antiectoparasite effect, an anti-endoparasite effect, or both. It will be appreciated that inhibitory effects against one or more pests can include one or more effects for reducing, preventing, or controlling the concentration and spread of the various parasitic, bacterial, viral, fungal, or protozoal organisms described herein. In various aspects, a pest control agent of the present disclosure can produce inhibitory effects against one or more pests including one or more effects for reducing, preventing, or controlling the concentration and spread of various endoparasites or ectoparasites. Reducing, preventing, or controlling the parasites can include complete prevention of infection or infestation in the fish population or on each fish, a reduction in the total number of parasites present in the fish population or on each fish, or controlling how many parasites are present in the fish population or on each fish according to local regulatory requirements.

[0102] In other aspects, the inhibitory effect can include one or more of an anti-feedancy effect, an anti-molting effect, an antifertility effect, or a parasiticidal effect. As used herein, “anti- feedancy effect” can refer to an effect exerted by one or more pest control agents that stops or inhibits feeding by the pests resulting in their malnourishment, delayed development, difficulties during molting and death. As used herein, the term “anti-molting” can refer to an effect exerted by one or more pest control agents that stops or inhibits the process of molting in the pests described. The process of molting occurs as pests grow and they shed their exoskeletons from one life stage to the next and is controlled hormonally and neuronally. As used herein, the term “antifertility effect” can include one or more effects on female pests, including a reduction in total egg production, an elimination of the ability to produce viable eggs, and a reduction in the total number of gravid female pests.

[0103] Pest control agents suitable for use in the pest control devices and fish feeds herein can include one or more synthetic or natural agents. The one or more synthetic or natural agents can include agents classified as an active pharmaceutical ingredient, a veterinary medicinal product, and the like. In some aspects, the active agent for the pest control agents herein can be obtained from a plant belonging to the genus Azadirachta. The pest control agent can be obtained or extracted from Azadirachta indica - a tree commonly known as the “Neem” tree. Extracts prepared from plants belonging to the genus Azadirachta (e.g., Azadirachta indica) can include potent terpenoid compounds, including one or more azadirachtinoids. The azadirachtinoids include azadirachtin compounds such as azadirachtin A, azadirachtin B, azadirachtin D, azadirachtin E, azadirachtin F, azadirachtin G, azadirachtin H, azadirachtin I, azadirachtin K, and/or other azadirachtin variants. The extracts from plants belonging to the genus Azadirachta can also include many other components in various quantities. In some aspects, the extracts can include additional compounds such as the limonoids salannin, nimbin, deacetyl salinin, and 6- desacetylnimbin. In various aspects, the extracts can further include one or more azadirachtinins. [0104] As used herein, the term “azadirachtin” can refer to the collective term applied to a large group of active compounds and is intended to encompass not only all naturally occurring variants or derivatives of azadirachtin, including but not limited to azadirachtins A, B, D, E, F, G, H, I, K, but also all synthetic variants, fragments, analogues, and derivatives thereof. In this regard, it will be appreciated that any azadirachtin variants, fragments, derivatives, or analogues for use herein should be functional, in that they exhibit at least one inhibitory effect as described.

[0105] Azadirachtin can be obtained or extracted from any part of the Azadirachta indica plant including, for example, the leaves, stems, bark, fruit, seeds, or any combinations thereof by one or more extraction processes. Suitable methods of extraction can include techniques that exploit mechanical pressing of neem seeds (i.e., kernels) and the use of non-polar solvents. Various solvent extraction techniques exploiting alcohol or an aqueous extraction process, mechanical pressing, and non-polar extraction methods can be used to produce azadirachtin A-rich pest control agents for use herein and are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,562; U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,763; and U.S. Pat. No. 11,096,404; the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0106] For example, azadirachtin can be effectively recovered from the seeds of the Neem tree. An exemplary method to recover azadirachtin from neem seeds can include providing neem seeds, crushing the neem seeds, extracting azadirachtin from the crushed seeds with water, and then extracting azadirachtin from the water by adding a second extraction solvent including a nonaqueous solvent that is not miscible with water and has a higher solubility of azadirachtin than water or a surfactant having a turbidity temperature between 20 °C and 80 °C. The concentrated azadirachtin can be recovered from the second extraction solution and shows high activity as an insecticide and parasiticide. Extraction methods employing polar solvents (e.g. water) lead to extracts that are rich in polar components, such as azadirachtin compounds.

[0107] In various aspects, the azadirachtin suitable for use herein includes azadirachtin A, which is by its scientific name of dimethyl [2a7?- [2aa,3B,4B(la/?*,25*,3a *,6a5*,75*,7a *),4aB,5a, 7aS*,8B(E),10B,10aa,10bB]]-10-

(acetyloxy)octahydro-3,5-dihydroxy-4-methyl-8-[(2-methyl- l-oxo-2-butenyl)oxy]-4- (3a,6a,7,7a)-tetrahydro-6a-hydroxy-7a-methyl-2,7-methanofuro [2,3-Z>]oxireno[e]oxepin-la(2Z/)- yl)- IT/,77/-naphtho-[ l ,8-/ic:4,4a-c ‘]difuran-5,10a(8J7)-dicarboxylate.

[0108] Azadirachtin A is the most abundant of a group of the azadirachtinoids. Azadirachtin A makes up about 80% of the azadirachtinoids in the neem seed kernel. The structural formula of azadirachtin A is: [0109] The pest control agents herein can include neem extracts that are an aqueous extract. In various aspects, the neem extract can include an aqueous extract of neem seed. The aqueous extract of neem seed can include an aqueous extract of the neem seed kernel. The aqueous extract of neem seed can include an aqueous extract of the entire neem seed, including the neem seed kernel and the neem seed coating. The aqueous extract of neem seed can be in liquid form, or it can be dried to remove water to create a powder form. By way of example, the neem extracts herein can include an aqueous extract of neem seed or an aqueous extract of neem seed kernel that has been dried into a powder.

[0110] It will be appreciated that the pest control agents described herein are not the same thing as neem extracts described as neem oil or solvent-first neem extracts. In various aspects, the pest control agents herein including azadirachtin are richer in the azadirachtinoid active ingredients, and in particular azadirachtin A, than are neem oil and other oil-based formulations. This is due to the fact that azadirachtinoids, such as azadirachtin A, are relatively polar complex terpenoids with a large number of oxygen functionalities, which make the molecules moderately water-soluble (e.g., a solubility of approximately 2 g/L). As a result, azadirachtinoids such as azadirachtin A are present in much higher concentrations in the extracts obtained employing polar solvents than in neem oil or solvent-first neem extracts. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed that the bioavailability of the active ingredients to the target parasite in the water-based extract of azadirachtin A rich extracts of the present disclosure can be greater than in neem oil given the increased solubility and miscibility of the water-based extract in water. Thus, the pest control agents herein do not, comprise, consist, or consist essentially of, neem oil. The pest control agent of the fish feed provided herein can comprise, consist, or consist essentially of azadirachtin A.

[0111] The pest control agents including neem extract rich in azadirachtin A can include those having from at least 15 wt. % to 33 wt. % azadirachtin A. In various aspects, pest control agents including neem extract rich in azadirachtin A can include those having from at least 20 wt. % to 26 wt. % azadirachtin A. In various aspects, pest control agents including neem extract rich in azadirachtin A can include those having from at least 28 wt. % to 31 wt. % azadirachtin A. In some aspects, pest control agents including neem extract rich in azadirachtin A can include those having from at least 29 wt. % to 30 wt. % azadirachtin A. In other aspects, pest control agents including neem extract rich in azadirachtin A can include those having from at least 34 wt. % to 40 wt. % azadirachtin A. In various aspects, pest control agents rich in azadirachtin A can include those having from 30 ± 1 wt. % azadirachtin A. In various aspects, pest control agents rich in azadirachtin A can include those having from 15 wt. %, 16 wt. %, 17 wt. %, 18 wt. %, 19 wt. %, 20 wt. %, 21 wt. %, 22 wt. %, 23 wt. %, 24 wt. %, 25 wt. %, 26 wt. %, 27 wt. %, 28 wt. %, 29 wt. %, 30 wt. %, 31 wt. %, 32 wt. %, or 33 wt. %, or any amount falling within a range of any of the forgoing. In yet other aspects, pest control agents including neem extract rich in azadirachtin A can include those having from at least 34 wt. % to 45 wt. % azadirachtin A, or at least 38 wt. % to 43 wt. %. As used herein, the terms “neem extract rich in azadirachtin A” and “azadirachtin A- rich composition” can be used interchangeably unless otherwise noted. A composition of an exemplary neem extract rich in azadirachtin A pest control agent suitable for use herein can include the formula as outlined in Table 1.

Table 1. Exemplary Azadirachtin-A Rich Pest Control Agent Formulation

[0112] The pest control agent including a neem extract rich in azadirachtin A can further include other azadirachtinoids at various concentrations. The azadirachtinoids can include azadirachtin compounds such as azadirachtin B at from < 19.0 % w/w, or from < 6.0 % w/w, or from 4.0 to 6.0 % w/w, or from 5.6 % w/w to 6.0 % vil'W, azadirachtin D at from < 13.0 % w/w, or from < 5.0 % w/w, or from 2.5 to 5.0, or from 4.0 % w/w to 5.0 % vil'W, azadirachtin E at from < 5.0 % w/w, or from 1.0 % w/w to 5.0 % w/w, or from 1.5 % w/w to 2.0 % w/w; azadirachtin F at from < 5.0 % w/w, or from 1.0 % w/w to 5.0 % w/w, or from 1.5 % w/w to 2.0 % w/w; azadirachtin G at from < 5.0 % w/w, or from 1.0 % w/w to 5.0 % w/w, or from 1.5 % w/w to 2.0 % w/w; azadirachtin H at from < 5.0 % w/w, or from 1.0 % w/w to 5.0 % w/w, or from 2.5 % w/w to 4.0 % w/w; azadirachtin I at from < 5.0 % w/w, or from 1.0 % w/w to 4.0 % w/w, or from 1.5 % w/w to 2.5 % w/w; and azadirachtin K and/or other azadirachtin variants at from < 5.0 % w/w, or from 1.0 % w/w to 5.0 % w/w, or from 2.5 % w/w to 4.0 % w/w. The extracts further can include azadirachtinin at from < 5.0 % w/w, or from 1.0 % w/w to 5.0 % w/w, or from 2.5 % w/w to 4.0 % w/w.

[0113] An exemplary pest control agent suitable for use herein can include an aqueous extract of neem seed that has been dried into a powder. The powder can include the appearance of a fine white powder. The exemplary pest control agent can include azadirachtin A at a concentration of from 17 wt. % to 37 wt. %, azadirachtin B at a concentration of from 0 wt. % to 19 wt. %, and azadirachtin D at a concentration of rom 0 wt. % to 13 wt. %. The exemplary pest control agent further can include trace amounts of other limonoids including nimbin and salannin.

[0114] Exemplary pest control agents including azadirachtin A rich compositions include, but are not to be limited to, NeemAzal® (Coromandel, Inti. Ltd., Telangana, India) or NeemAzal® Technical (Coromandel, Inti. Ltd., Telangana, India), or any derivatives of combinations thereof.

Pest Control Agent Compositions

[0115] The present disclosure further provides a pest control agent composition for administration to fish, where the pest control agent composition can include one or more pest control agents. It will be appreciated that the pest control devices herein can be used in conjunction with a fish feed or a pest control agent compositions. Pest control agent compositions are not a fish feed and are intended for separate or supplemental administration to fish in addition to a fish feed. The pest control agent compositions can be provided separately for administration before, during, or after administration of the fish feeds. Accordingly, in various aspects, the pest control agent compositions herein can be suitable for use in some aspects as a form of veterinary medicinal product or dietary supplement for reducing, preventing, or controlling pest infections or pest infestations in fish. The pest control agent compositions can be administered to the fish at the concentrations described elsewhere herein. For example, the pest control agent compositions herein can be administered at from about 0.01 grams pest control agent per kilogram of fish feed (g/kg) to about 100 g/kg, as described elsewhere herein. In various aspects, the pest control agent composition includes a neem extract rich in azadirachtin A.

[0116] The pest control agent compositions herein can include azadirachtin extracts rich in azadirachtin A. The pest control agent composition can include a liquid, solid, or semi-solid form, and further can include one or more of an excipient, diluent, carrier, vitamins, minerals, or combinations thereof. The pest control agent compositions can be in the form of a dietary supplement that is provided as any of granules, flakes, pellets, powders, tablets, pills, capsules, and the like. In various aspects, the pest control agent compositions herein can be formed into many shapes and sizes. In various aspects, the fish feeds herein can be in the shape of a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a sphere, a diamond, a cylinder, a pellet, a clover, an amorphous shape, and the like. The fish feeds can be formed by a process including one or more of extrusion, retort, cold-pressing, high-pressure processing, and the like.

[0117] Alternatively, the pest control agent composition can be provided in a form that is edible by fish but that does not provide nutrition to the fish. By way of example, the pest control agent composition can include a veterinary medicinal product that can include substances or combinations of substances to manage or prevent diseases in fish. The pest control agent composition can also be formulated for parenteral administration. Thus, the pest control agent composition can include pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, diluents, or excipients, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, the pest control agent composition can be sterile.

[0118] The pest control agent compositions herein can be included in one or more types of fish feed designed for mixing with another composition, such as a base feed. The pest control agent composition can be in the form of a premix, a concentrate, a base mix, a supplement, a top dress, liquid drench, or a combination thereof.

[0119] The pest control agent in the pest control agent compositions herein can include one or more agents for reducing, preventing, or controlling an infection or infestation caused or contributed by one or more endoparasite or ectoparasite pests, including any type of worms, helminths, flukes, lice, mites, bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa, as described elsewhere. Each pest control agent included in the pest control agent compositions can be individually capable of reducing, preventing, or controlling one or more of a parasitic, bacterial, viral, fungal, or protozoal infections, or infestations. By way of example, the pest control agent compositions herein can include those exhibiting one or more inhibitory effects, including an antiparasitic effect, an antibacterial effect, an antiviral effect, an antifungal effect, an antiprotozoal effect, or any combinations thereof.

[0120] A pest control agent composition can be administered before during or after the administration of any of the fish feeds. In some aspects, the pest control agent compositions can be administered with fish feed that does not contain a pest control agent. In some aspects, the pest control agent compositions can be administered in conjunction with fish feed that does contain a pest control agent. When used in conjunction with fish feed that does contain a pest control agent, the separate pest control agent composition can include the same pest control agent as in the fish feed or it can be a different pest control agent than in the fish feed. When used in conjunction with fish feed that does contain a pest control agent, the separate pest control agent composition can be the same concentration as the pest control agent in the fish feed or it can be a different concentration than the pest control agent in the fish feed. The pest control agent compositions herein can be included in the diet of fish in the form of a veterinary medicinal product or dietary supplement to any complete and balanced fish feed or can be provided as a component of a complete fish feed.

Methods for Reducing, Preventing, or Controlling Pest Infection or Infestation

[0121] The present disclosure provides for a method for reducing, preventing, or controlling a pest infection or infestation in an aquaculture system. The method can include deploying one or more pest control devices within an aquaculture system, wherein each pest control device includes at least a device body and a pest control agent for reducing, preventing, or controlling one or more types of pest. The method further can include administering to pests present within the aquaculture system an amount of pest control agent effective to repel or kill the pests. The method further can include monitoring the aquaculture system for the presence of pests and recording the quantity, type, and dwell time of such pests within the aquaculture system.

[0122] Monitoring the aquaculture system can include daily, weekly, or monthly monitoring of total daily lice present in the aquaculture system, total daily lice killed or repelled within a given area of the aquaculture system, and the like. The monitoring data can be used by the system to forecast future lice populations that can be utilized by fish farmers in future management regimens.

Fish Feeds

[0123] The present disclosure further includes one or more fish feeds, including one or more fish feed compositions or fish feed ingredients, to be used as complementary methods in aquaculture applications along with the pest control devices. It will be appreciated that the fish feeds herein can include suitable types of fish feed specific for the fish species described elsewhere herein. It will be appreciated that when a host fish has consumed the pest control agents as a component of their daily diet for a given exposure duration, it can be transferred to the body of the pest when that pest takes a meal from the host.

[0124] The fish feeds can be produced using a base feed formulation that is a solid feed or a liquid feed using raw materials that can be chosen based on the application in which it is to be used and on the fish species. In various aspects, the fish feed is a solid fish feed. In other aspects, the fish feed is a liquid fish feed. In other aspects, the fish feed can include both a solid fish feed component and a liquid fish feed component. Fish feeds in solid form can include pellets, extruded nuggets, steam pellets, flakes, tablets, powders, and the like. In various aspects, the base feed can include a base feed pellet. In some aspects, the base feed pellet can include a porous matrix distributed throughout. Fish feeds in liquid form can include aqueous solutions, oils, oil and water emulsions, slurries, suspensions, and the like. In various aspects, a solid fish feed can further include one or more oils coated on the surface or distributed throughout the fish feed.

[0125] The fish feeds can include a number of different ingredients or raw materials that can sustain life, growth, and reproduction of the fish. The fish feeds can include any substrate that is edible to fish. For example, an edible substrate can provide a source of nutrition to the fish or can be an inert substrate with no nutritive value to the fish. In various aspects, the fish feeds herein can include feeds that are either nutritional fish feeds or non-nutritional feeds. Nutritional fish feeds can include a nutritional food stuff formulated for fish as part of its diet as the main source of nutrition, growth, and reproduction. Suitable nutritional fish feeds can include one or more of proteinaceous material as a source of proteins, peptides, and amino acids; carbohydrates; and fats, as described below. Non-nutritional fish feeds can include any substrate that is edible to fish but does not provide nutrition to sustain life, growth, or reproduction. In various aspects, the nutritional or non-nutritional fish feeds herein can include one or more compounds designed to alter the quality, quantity, or appearance of a fish and fish tissue. For example, a nutritional non- nutritional fish feeds can include a carotenoid compound to improve the appearance (e.g., color) of the muscle tissue. By way of example, the carotenoid compound can include compounds such as astaxanthin.

[0126] The fish feeds herein can include one or more pest control agents. In various aspects, the one or more pest control agents can be present in the fish feed in an amount effective to produce an inhibitory effect on one or more pests, as described elsewhere herein. As such, the fish feeds herein can include pest control agents for reducing, preventing, or controlling infections or infestations caused by one or more pests. In various aspects, the fish feeds herein can include pest control agents for reducing, preventing, or controlling endoparasitic or ectoparasitic infections or infestations. In various aspects, the parasitic infection or infestation is a copepod infection or infestation. In some aspect, the parasitic infection or infestation is a sea lice infection or infestation. Various pests suitable as targets for the pest control agents herein are described elsewhere. [0127] In an administered form, the fish feeds herein can include an amount of pest control agent at from about 0.01 - 100 grams of pest control agent per kilogram fish feed (g/kg), about 90 g/kg fish feed, about 80 g/kg fish feed, about 70 g/kg fish feed, about 60 g/kg fish feed, about 50 g/kg fish feed, about 40 g/kg fish feed, about 30 g/kg fish feed, about 20 g/kg fish feed, about 1- 10 g/kg fish feed, about 2-9 g/kg fish feed, about 3-7 g/kg fish feed, about 4-6 g/kg fish feed, or about 5 g/kg fish feed.

[0128] In various aspects, the fish feeds herein can include a total amount of pest control agent and/or active ingredient in an amount effective to produce an inhibitory effect against one or more pests, including a concentration from about 0.01 g/kg fish feed, 0.05 g/kg fish feed, 0.1 g/kg fish feed, 0.2 g/kg fish feed, 0.3 g/kg fish feed, 0.4 g/kg fish feed, 0.5 g/kg fish feed, 0.6 g/kg fish feed, 0.7 g/kg fish feed, 0.8 g/kg fish feed, 0.9 g/kg fish feed, 1.0 g/kg fish feed. 1.25 g/kg fish feed, 1.5 g/kg fish feed, 1.75 g/kg fish feed, 2.0 g/kg fish feed, 2.25 g/kg fish feed, 2.5 g/kg fish feed, 2.75, g/kg fish feed, 3.0 g/kg fish feed, 5.0 g/kg fish feed. 5.25 g/kg fish feed, 5.5 g/kg fish feed, 5.75 g/kg fish feed, 6.0 g/kg fish feed, 6.25 g/kg fish feed, 6.5 g/kg fish feed, 6.75, g/kg fish feed, 7.0 g/kg fish feed, 7.0 g/kg fish feed. 7.25 g/kg fish feed, 7.5 g/kg fish feed, 7.75 g/kg fish feed, 8.0 g/kg fish feed, 8.25 g/kg fish feed, 8.5 g/kg fish feed, 8.75, g/kg fish feed, 9.0 g/kg fish feed, 9.25 g/kg fish feed, 9.5 g/kg fish feed, 9.75, g/kg fish feed, 10.0 g/kg fish feed, 15 g/kg fish feed, 20 g/kg fish feed, 25 g/kg fish feed, 30 g/kg fish feed, 35 g/kg fish feed, 40 g/kg fish feed, 45 g/kg fish feed, 50 g/kg fish feed, 55 g/kg fish feed, 60 g/kg fish feed, 65 g/kg fish feed, 70 g/kg fish feed, 75 g/kg fish feed, 80 g/kg fish feed, 85 g/kg fish feed, 90 g/kg fish feed, 95 g/kg fish feed, or 100 g/kg fish feed, or any amount within a range of any of the forgoing concentrations.

[0129] It will be appreciated that the aforementioned concentrations equate to an amount from about 0.001-10 weight percent (% w/w) total pest control agent to fish feed. In various aspects, the fish feeds herein can include a total amount of pest control agent including from 0.001 % w/w, 0.002 % w/w, 0.003 % w/w, 0.004 % w/w, 0.005 % w/w, 0.006 % w/w, 0.007 %w/w, 0.008 % w/w, 0.009 % w/w, 0.010 % w/w, 0.020 % w/w, 0.030 % w/w, 0.040 % w/w, 0.050 % w/w, 0.060 % w/w, 0.070 % w/w, 0.080 % w/w, 0.090 % w/w, 0.10 % w/w, 0.11 % w/w, 0.12 % w/w, 0.13 % w/w, 0.14 % w/w, 0.15 % w/w, 0.16 % w/w, 0.17 % w/w, 0.18 % w/w, 0.19 % w/w, 0.20 % w/w, 0.21 % w/w, 0.22 % w/w, 0.23 % w/w, 0.24 % w/w, 0.25 % w/w, 0.26 % w/w, 0.27 % w/w, 0.28 % w/w, 0.29 % w/w, 0.30 % w/w, 0.31 % w/w, 0.32 % w/w, 0.33 % w/w, 0.34 % w/w, 0.35 % w/w, 0.36 % w/w, 0.37 % w/w, 0.38 % w/w, 0.39 % w/w, 0.40 % w/w, 0.41 % w/w, 0.42 % w/w, 0.43 % w/w, 0.44 % w/w, 0.45 % w/w, 0.46 % w/w, 0.47 % w/w, 0.48 % w/w, 0.49 % w/w, 0.50 % w/w, 0.51 % w/w, 0.52 % w/w, 0.53 % w/w, 0.54 % w/w, 0.55 % w/w, 0.56 % w/w, 0.57 % w/w, 0.58 % w/w, 0.59 % w/w, 0.60 % w/w, 0.61 % w/w, 0.62 % w/w, 0.63 % w/w, 0.64 % w/w, 0.65 % w/w, 0.66 % w/w, 0.67 % w/w, 0.68 % w/w, 0.69 % w/w, 0.70 % w/w, 0.71 % w/w, 0.72 % w/w, 0.73 % w/w, 0.74 % w/w, 0.75 % w/w, 0.76 % w/w, 0.77 % w/w, 0.78 % w/w, 0.79 % w/w, 0.80 % w/w, 0.81 % w/w, 0.82 % w/w, 0.83 % w/w, 0.84 % w/w, 0.85 % w/w, 0.86 % w/w, 0.87 % w/w, 0.88 % w/w, 0.89 % w/w, 0.90 % w/w, 0.91 % w/w, 0.92 % w/w, 0.93 % w/w, 0.94 % w/w, 0.95 % w/w, 0.96 % w/w, 0.97 % w/w, 0.98 % w/w, 0.99 % w/w, 1.0 % w/w, 2.0 % w/w, 3.0 % w/w, 4.0 % w/w, 5.0 % w/w, 6.0 % w/w, 7.0 % w/w, 8.0 % w/w, 9.0 % w/w, or 10.0 % w/w, or any amount within a range of any of the forgoing values.

[0130] The fish feeds herein can include those that are supplemented with azadirachtin A, as described above. The fish feeds can be administered to various fish as part of a fish feed diet to control pests within an aquaculture environment. The fish feeds can be at least partially coated on an exterior surface with an azadirachtin A-rich composition or completely coated on an exterior surface with an azadirachtin A-rich composition. In some aspects, the fish feeds herein can include an azadirachtin A-rich composition that is at least partially dispersed throughout the fish feed composition. In various aspects, the fish feeds herein can be at least partially coated on an exterior surface with an azadirachtin A-rich composition and further can have an azadirachtin A-rich composition at least partially dispersed throughout the fish feed.

[0131] It should be understood that the definitions described herein apply to all aspects as described unless otherwise stated.

[0132] In this document, the terms “a,” “an,” or “the” are used to include one or more than one unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive “or” unless otherwise indicated. All publications, patents, and patent documents referred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and those documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference is to be considered supplementary to that of this document; for irreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.

[0133] Values expressed in a range format are to be interpreted in a flexible manner to include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but also to include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range were explicitly recited. For example, a range of “about 0.1 % to about 5 %” or “about 0.1 % to 5 %” is to be interpreted to include not just about 0.1 % to about 5 %, but also the individual values (e.g., 1 %, 2 %, 3 %, and 4 %) and the sub-ranges (e.g., 0.1 % to 0.5 %, 1.1 % to 2.2 %, 3.3 % to 4.4 %) within the indicated range. The statement “about X to Y” has the same meaning as “about X to about Y,” unless indicated otherwise. Likewise, the statement “about X, Y, or about Z” has the same meaning as “about X, about Y, or about Z,” unless indicated otherwise. [0134] Unless expressly stated, ppm (parts per million), percentage, and ratios are on a by weight basis. Percentage on a by weight basis (% w/w or w/w %) is also referred to as weight percent (wt. %) or percent by weight (% wt.) herein.

[0135] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are as follows:

[0136] Embodiment 1 : A pest control device comprising: a device body; and a pest control agent in an amount effective for reducing, preventing, or controlling one or more types of pest.

[0137] Embodiment 2: The device of Embodiment 1, wherein the pest control agent comprises a neem extract rich in azadirachtin A.

[0138] Embodiment 3: The device of any of Embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the neem extract rich in azadirachtin A comprises from 15 wt. % to 33 wt. % azadirachtin A.

[0139] Embodiment 4: The device of any of Embodiments 1-3, wherein the pest control agent is coated on or embedded in an exterior surface of the pest control device.

[0140] Embodiment 5: The device of any of Embodiments 1-4, wherein the pest control agent is coated on or embedded in an interior surface of the pest control device.

[0141] Embodiment 6: The device of any of Embodiments 1-5, wherein the pest control agent further comprises one or more attractants in an amount effective to lure the one or more types of pest to the pest control device.

[0142] Embodiment 7: The device of any of Embodiments 1-6, wherein the attractant comprises a semiochemical attractant or pheromone attractant.

[0143] Embodiment 8: The device of any of Embodiments 1-7, further comprising a naturally derived mucus from a species of fish belonging to one or more families selected from the group consisting of Cyprinidae, Cichlidae, Pangasiidae, Sciaenidae, Serranidae, Carangidae, Sparidae, Lateolabracidae, Moronidae, Mugilidae, Cypriniformes, Latidae, Eleotridae, Tilapiini, and Salmonidae.

[0144] Embodiment 9: The device of any of Embodiments 1-8, further comprising a synthetic mucus that mimics naturally derived mucus from a species of fish belonging to one or more families selected from the group consisting of Cyprinidae, Cichlidae, Pangasiidae, Sciaenidae, Serranidae, Carangidae, Sparidae, Lateolabracidae, Moronidae, Mugilidae, Cypriniformes, Latidae, Eleotridae, Tilapiini, and Salmonidae.

[0145] Embodiment 10: The device of any of Embodiments 1-9, further comprising a nutrient source in an amount effective to provide nutrition to the pests over the course from 0 to 30 days.

[0146] Embodiment 11 : The device of any of Embodiments 1-10, wherein the pest control agent is present in an amount effective to repel or kill the pests.

[0147] Embodiment 12: The device of any of Embodiments 1-11, wherein the pest control device is shaped like a fish.

[0148] Embodiment 13: The device of any of Embodiments 1-12, wherein the pest control device is shaped like a square, a rectangle, a star, a hexagon, a trapezoid, a circle, a cube, a cylinder, a sphere, a cone, a torus, or a pyramid.

[0149] Embodiment 14: The device of any of Embodiments 1-13, further comprising one or more sensors comprising a visual sensor, a tactile sensor, a chemical sensor, a motion sensor, an image sensor, or a photo sensor.

[0150] Embodiment 15: The device of any of Embodiments 1-14, further comprising one or more video cameras disposed about the device body.

[0151] Embodiment 16: The device of any of Embodiments 1-15, wherein the pest control device is configured for reducing, preventing, or controlling a pest infection or infestation that is an ectoparasite infection or infestation, or an endoparasite infection or infestation.

[0152] Embodiment 17: The device of any of Embodiments 1-16, wherein the pest control device is configured for reducing, preventing, or controlling a pest infection or infestation that is a sea lice infection or infestation, or a copepod infection or infestation.

[0153] Embodiment 18: The device of any of Embodiments 1-17, wherein the neem extract rich in azadirachtin A is obtained by a method comprising the steps of: providing neem seeds; crushing the neem seeds; extracting azadirachtin from the crushed seeds with water; adding a second extraction solution that comprises: a non-aqueous solvent which is not miscible with water and has a higher solubility of azadirachtin than water; or a surfactant having a turbidity temperature between 20 °C and 80 °C; and recovering the concentrated azadirachtin from the second extraction solution. [0154] Embodiment 19: The device of any of Embodiments 1-18, wherein the neem extract rich in azadirachtin A does not comprise neem oil.

[0155] Embodiment 20: An aquaculture system comprising: one or more pest control devices; and one or more sea cages; wherein each pest control device comprises: a device body; and a pest control agent in an amount effective for reducing, preventing, or controlling one or more types of pest.

[0156] Embodiment 21 : The system of Embodiment 20, wherein the sea cages of the aquaculture system comprise one or more open sea cages.

[0157] Embodiment 22: The system of Embodiment 20, wherein the sea cages of the aquaculture system comprise one or more semi-enclosed sea cages.

[0158] Embodiment 23: The system of any of Embodiments 20-22, wherein the one or more pest control devices are disposed within the sea cages within the aquaculture system.

[0159] Embodiment 24: The system of any of Embodiments 20-23, wherein the one or more pest control devices are disposed within the sea cages, and wherein the pest control devices are configured to float freely within the sea cages.

[0160] Embodiment 25: The system of any of Embodiments 20-22, wherein the one or more pest control devices are disposed exterior to one or more sea cages.

[0161] Embodiment 26: The system of any of Embodiments 20-22, wherein the one or more pest control devices are anchored around the exterior of the one or more sea cages.

[0162] Embodiment 27: A method of reducing, preventing, or controlling a pest infection or infestation in an aquaculture system comprising: deploying one or more pest control devices within an aquaculture system, wherein each pest control device comprises: a device body; and a pest control agent for reducing, preventing, or controlling one or more types of pest; administering to pests present within the aquaculture system an amount of pest control agent effective to repel or kill the pests via the pest control device.