Aquaculture Welfare

Aquaculture Lumpfish Welfare Advanced

Lumpfish are used as cleaner fish in salmon farms to control sea lice, but their welfare in aquaculture systems receives inadequate attention relative to their role and numbers.

Key Facts

Tens of millions of lumpfish are produced annually for salmon lice control
Lumpfish mortality rates in salmon farms are often very high, approaching 90%
Lumpfish welfare needs including access to shelter and appropriate food are often neglected
Resting areas in lumpfish tanks significantly reduce mortality rates
Welfare standards for lumpfish are largely absent from most salmon farm certification

Welfare Considerations

Lumpfish welfare represents a significant welfare blind spot in salmon aquaculture. These animals are produced in enormous numbers and experience very high mortality, yet receive minimal welfare protection because their service function overshadows their status as individual sentient animals deserving consideration.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture certification schemes that include cleaner fish welfare
Learn about lumpfish welfare challenges in salmon farming
Advocate for welfare standards covering cleaner fish in salmon farm certifications