Aquaculture Welfare

Salmon Lice Integrated Management

Sea lice are a major welfare and productivity challenge in salmon farming, requiring integrated management strategies to reduce chemical treatment reliance.

Key Facts

Sea lice cause skin damage, fin erosion, and osmotic stress in heavily infested salmon
Chemical treatments have driven resistance and harm non-target species
Cleaner fish like wrasse and lumpfish provide biological lice control
Mechanical removal via freshwater or laser treatments reduces chemical reliance
Integrated pest management combining monitoring, biologicals, and targeted treatment is the gold standard

Welfare Considerations

Sea lice infestations cause significant suffering for affected salmon. An integrated management approach that reduces chemical stress, utilizes biological controls, and monitors fish welfare throughout is essential for humane aquaculture.

What You Can Do

Support salmon certified by welfare-focused aquaculture standards
Advocate for sea lice management regulations that protect both fish and ecosystems
Purchase salmon from farms with transparent lice management reporting