Emamectin benzoate (Slice) treatment for sea lice in Atlantic salmon farming causes significant welfare impacts including appetite loss, reduced immunity, and behavioural changes.
Atlantic salmon subjected to sea lice treatments experience welfare costs from both the parasites themselves and the treatments used to control them. Emamectin benzoate, the most widely used oral treatment, causes measurable neurological disruption including increased aggression, fin damage from fighting, and impaired schooling behaviour. Bath treatments cause acute hypoxic and chemical stress. The combination of persistent lice burdens and repeated treatments creates chronic welfare compromise across the production cycle.