Aquatic Welfare

Sea Lice in Salmon Aquaculture: A Welfare Crisis

Sea lice infestations are one of the most significant welfare threats facing farmed Atlantic salmon, causing pain, tissue damage, and mortality.

Key Facts

Sea lice cost the global salmon industry over $1 billion annually
Heavy infestations cause open lesions, hemorrhage, and osmotic stress
Chemical treatments for lice can also harm non-target crustaceans
Cleaner fish like wrasse are used as biological controls but face welfare concerns
Wild salmon runs are threatened by sea lice spread from farms

Welfare Considerations

Sea lice attach to salmon skin and feed on mucus, skin, and blood. Severe infestations cause chronic pain, stress, immunosuppression, and death. Treatment methods including hydrogen peroxide baths and medicinal bath treatments cause acute distress. Wrasse used as cleaner fish often suffer high mortality themselves due to inadequate species-appropriate care. Closed containment systems and improved site management can significantly reduce lice burdens.

What You Can Do

Choose salmon certified under rigorous welfare and lice-management standards
Support development of land-based closed containment salmon farming
Advocate for welfare standards for cleaner fish used in lice control
Research and support innovation in non-chemical sea lice prevention