Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Lice Biological Control

Biological control of sea lice using cleaner fish represents a welfare-compatible alternative to chemical treatments.

Key Facts

Lumpfish and wrasse species consume sea lice from salmon in commercial sea cages
Lumpfish sourced from dedicated hatcheries have been welfare-assessed for scalp and fin condition
Cleaner fish welfare is itself a significant concern as they face mortality and injury in sea cages
Biological control reduces but cannot eliminate lice burden and is used in combination with other methods
Research into optimal lumpfish stocking ratios and housing conditions is ongoing

Welfare Considerations

Cleaner fish used to control sea lice face significant welfare risks themselves including predation, injury from salmon, and inadequate shelter. Improving cleaner fish welfare is a critical component of responsible biological control programs.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture standards that require welfare assessment of cleaner fish
Advocate for research into cleaner fish welfare and housing requirements
Choose salmon from farms using certified cleaner fish from welfare-assessed hatcheries