Parasites can affect host health and reproduction in various ways, possibly with negative impacts on commercial species. For instance, reduced reproduction due to castration by parasite infection can have a major impact on host populations. We are currently working on the common prawn, Palaemon serratus, an important product of Irish shrimp fisheries and host to an isopod parasite. The parasite affects the appearance of the prawn and prevents reproduction, both affecting the fishery.
