Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Lice Sea Cage Welfare

Sea lice infestation in sea cage salmon represents the largest welfare challenge in Atlantic salmon farming, requiring integrated management approaches.

Key Facts

Lepeophtheirus salmonis causes skin lesions, stress, and secondary infections in salmon
Sea lice populations on farms threaten wild salmon through larval release near rivers
Resistance to multiple treatment classes has developed in sea lice populations
Integrated management combines cleaner fish, thermal treatment, and genetic resistance
Norway's traffic light system limits production near wild salmon rivers

Welfare Considerations

Sea lice represent the most significant ongoing welfare challenge in Atlantic salmon farming. The welfare cost - skin damage, stress from treatments, and secondary infections - affects millions of individual fish annually. Integrated management reducing lice burden through multiple complementary approaches is the welfare standard of practice.

What You Can Do

Choose ASC-certified salmon from farms with active lice monitoring and integrated management
Support organisations advocating for lice reduction as a welfare and conservation priority
Advocate for salmon farm siting regulations protecting wild salmon from lice exposure