Sea lice infestations cause significant suffering in farmed Atlantic salmon and are a major welfare challenge in marine aquaculture requiring integrated pest management approaches.
Sea lice infestations cause chronic and sometimes acute suffering in farmed salmon. The parasites physically damage the fish's protective skin and scale cover, creating wounds that cause pain, impair osmoregulation, and allow secondary infections. Heavy infestations can leave fish with large areas of raw, exposed tissue. Chemical treatments, while necessary, add stress through handling and chemical exposure. The welfare challenge of sea lice management in salmon farming is one of the most difficult in aquaculture, requiring a genuine commitment to integrated pest management that minimizes both parasite burden and treatment stress.