The development of species-specific welfare standards for cleaner fish used in salmon lice control is an active area of aquaculture welfare policy, reflecting growing recognition of their welfare needs.
Cleaner fish welfare standards development represents a specific frontier where the welfare of a secondary species — used to improve the welfare of primary farmed fish through lice reduction — requires explicit attention. The welfare paradox of using biological control agents whose own welfare needs are poorly met cannot be resolved by pointing to benefits for salmon alone. Genuine welfare improvement requires meeting the needs of both salmon and cleaner fish simultaneously. This requires species-specific management protocols acknowledging that wrasse and lumpfish are distinct species with distinct habitat requirements, and that deployment in salmon pens creates an environment meeting neither species' welfare needs without deliberate accommodation. Progressive facilities investing in cleaner fish welfare are demonstrating that the additional management investment is achievable.