. Article from the Irish Times about two weeks ago. Came across the article on the website as I’m slogging through the mass of salmon-related sites.
Nina [Norwegian Institute for Nature Research] estimates that the current level of fish farming in Norway is six to seven times the sustainable limit. There are now 350 million farmed salmon in pens along the Norwegian coast, implying a sea lice burden of 300 to 350 million.
Sea lice are a major threat to migrating juvenile salmon – and therefore to the survival of wild stocks generally.
The Norwegian Salmon Association has said the situation is “a disaster”. It has also drawn attention to the increased resistance of sea lice to the main chemical treatment being used. They have called for a halt to further growth for the industry.