Aquaculture

Salmon Biological Control Research

Research into biological control methods for sea lice reduces dependence on chemical treatments that harm cleaner fish and create resistance.

Key Facts

Wrasse and lumpfish cleaner fish are widely used but have welfare problems
Laser-based lice removal systems offer a non-chemical mechanical option
Freshwater treatments kill lice but require fish crowding and handling
Selective breeding for lice resistance is a long-term biological approach
Coordinated area management across farms reduces environmental lice pressure

Welfare Considerations

Biological control research aims to reduce the welfare costs of chemical treatments while maintaining lice control. Each method has different welfare implications - cleaner fish welfare, crowding stress from freshwater treatment, or genetic selection. A portfolio approach combining methods minimises welfare cost while maintaining effective control.

What You Can Do

Support research into welfare-positive lice control methods
Advocate for cleaner fish welfare inclusion in biological control standards
Choose salmon from producers actively improving lice management welfare