Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Lumpfish Welfare

Lumpfish are used as cleaner fish in salmon farms to control sea lice, but their own welfare needs are often overlooked in this role.

Key Facts

Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) eat sea lice from salmon skin in sea cages
Lumpfish are batch-produced in hatcheries specifically for use as cleaner fish
High mortality rates in sea cages raise serious welfare concerns
Lumpfish need access to shelter, appropriate nutrition, and social conditions
UK regulatory guidance on cleaner fish welfare has been developed but implementation varies

Welfare Considerations

Lumpfish are deployed as a welfare tool for salmon but are themselves sentient animals with welfare needs. High mortality of lumpfish in sea cages indicates welfare failure. Providing lumpfish with shelter, appropriate nutrition, and protection from injury by salmon improves their welfare and maintains their cleaner fish function.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture certifications including cleaner fish welfare requirements
Choose certified salmon from farms with transparent cleaner fish mortality data
Advocate for lumpfish welfare standards as a mandatory component of salmon certification