Aquaculture

Salmon Sea Lice Integrated Management

Sea lice are the primary welfare and production challenge in Atlantic salmon farming, requiring integrated pest management strategies.

Key Facts

Lice cause skin lesions, osmotic stress, and secondary infections in salmon
Resistance to chemical treatments has increased substantially since 2010
Biological controls including cleaner fish are now widely deployed
Coordinated area management reduces reinfestation rates
Sublethal lice loads cause chronic stress measurable in cortisol levels

Welfare Considerations

Heavy lice infestations cause significant suffering including pain, stress and immunosuppression. Integrated approaches combining biological, mechanical and chemical controls, with strong welfare monitoring thresholds, reduce both burden and treatment stress.

What You Can Do

Support certification schemes requiring lice monitoring and thresholds
Advocate for coordinated national lice management frameworks
Choose certified salmon products when available