Farm Animals

Salmon Lice Management and Fish Welfare

Sea lice infestations are the primary welfare challenge in Atlantic salmon farming, requiring management approaches that minimise harm to the fish.

Key Facts

Lepeophtheirus salmonis is the principal sea lice species affecting farmed Atlantic salmon
Heavy infestations cause skin damage, secondary infection, and chronic stress in affected fish
Resistance to chemical treatments is increasing, driving development of biological control
Wrasse used as cleaner fish to remove lice have their own significant welfare requirements
Selective breeding for lice resistance is a long-term sustainable solution being pursued by the industry

Welfare Considerations

Sea lice cause chronic welfare harm to millions of farmed salmon. The industry must commit to welfare-positive lice management strategies that protect both salmon and the cleaner fish used for biological control.

What You Can Do

Choose salmon from farms with comprehensive welfare-positive lice management strategies
Advocate for cleaner fish welfare standards alongside salmon welfare standards
Support research into selective breeding for lice resistance in salmon
Engage with aquaculture innovation that reduces reliance on chemical lice treatments
Reduce salmon consumption from farms without transparent lice welfare policies