Research into sea lice management measures used on Scottish salmon farms has found the use of in-feed and skirts to prevent the parasites entering pens are the most cost-effective.
The Scottish Government-funded research was led by Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), together with the Norwegian Veterinary Institute in Oslo and the University of Strathclyde. The aim of the project was to gather information about the sea lice management measures used on Scottish salmon farms and compare the relative cost-effectiveness of these from both economic and specific environmental viewpoints.
The sea louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis is a key parasite of cultured Atlantic salmon throughout most farmed fish producing countries, including Scotland. The louse feeds on the fish, causing multimillion-pound commercial losses to the salmon aquaculture industry globally; reduced salmon welfare and lower productivity at farm level through low feed efficiency or growth reduction.
Sea lice control involves economic and environmental costs, where measurable, as well as those that are more difficult to monetise, such as costs related to fish welfare and public perceptions. The researchers used in-depth interviews and workshops with stakeholders to assess the relative cost-effectiveness of sea lice management measures and their impact on the economic performance of the Scottish farmed salmon industry.
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