Aquaculture

Salmon Lumpfish Welfare as Cleaner Fish

Lumpfish are widely used as cleaner fish in salmon farming to control sea lice, but their own welfare needs are poorly met in many systems.

Key Facts

Lumpfish eat sea lice from salmon, providing a biological control method
Lumpfish are short-lived in sea cages and often die before completing their function
Overcrowding, inadequate substrate and predation by salmon reduce lumpfish welfare
Welfare guidelines for lumpfish have been developed but adoption is inconsistent
The welfare of billions of cleaner fish is largely invisible in salmon welfare debates

Welfare Considerations

Lumpfish welfare is a hidden welfare issue within salmon farming. These fish are deployed in large numbers, suffer from poor conditions, and often die prematurely. Addressing lumpfish welfare alongside salmon welfare is necessary for a comprehensive aquaculture welfare approach.

What You Can Do

Support welfare standards that explicitly address cleaner fish welfare
Advocate for lumpfish welfare inclusion in salmon certification schemes
Choose certified salmon from farms with documented cleaner fish welfare protocols