A Matter of Lice and Death

Fisheries scientists have repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that “scientific evidence from Norway and Ireland indicates a detrimental effect of sea lice on sea trout and salmon populations.” Sindre Grotmol/Sea Lice Research Center photo

Industry figures show sea-lice have been “out of control” at many Scottish salmon farms, according to the Salmon & Trout Association Scotland (STAS).

The latest aggregated sea lice data, published by the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO), shows that in the second quarter of 2014 sea lice numbers on farmed salmon were above the industry threshold in almost half the thirty regions for which data is reported.

The second quarter of every year is when the main migrations to sea of juvenile wild salmon and sea trout occur. During this period, they are at their most vulnerable to damaging and often fatal infestations of sea lice emanating from fish farms, according to STAS.

Particular hotspots, for the sixth quarterly report in a row, include ‘Kennart to Gruinard’ in Wester Ross, where there are seven farms operated by two companies – Wester Ross Fisheries and Scottish Sea Farms.

Collectively, the farms in this region breached industry sea lice standards and will have been producing juvenile sea lice in numbers that will in all probability have threatened the survival of any migrating young wild salmon and sea-trout leaving the rivers of Wester Ross for the first time this spring, says STAS. This will almost certainly have included wild salmon from the Special Area for Conservation on the Little Gruinard River, where Atlantic salmon are supposedly strictly protected under European law.

Guy Linley-Adams, Solicitor to the STA (Scotland) Aquaculture Campaign, said: “Sea lice have been over the threshold in this part of Wester Ross for 18 straight months now. Despite extended fallow periods applied in Wester Ross and twelve treatments for sea lice in the three months of April to June 2014, the industry here still cannot get its sea lice problem under control. Clearly the use of wrasse as ‘cleaner fish’ in this region is not the panacea that it is often said to be.

“We now have 18 months of evidence which shows that either the fish-farmers in Loch Broom and Little Loch Broom can’t or won’t manage their farms properly to control sea lice or that some characteristic of Wester Ross simply makes it an inappropriate place to farm salmon. “Either way, the fish-farms in Two Brooms must now go.

“This is now a litmus test of the attitude of the Scottish Government to wild salmon and sea-trout on the west coast. Is it lawful for Ministers to do nothing to protect populations of west coast wild salmon and sea-trout in Two Brooms for the benefit of the fish-farmers?”

Other regions that continue to have sea lice issues include Inchard to Kirkaig North, Loch Long and Croe, Skye and small isles (North), Awe and Nell (Argyll), Add and Ormsary (also Argyll), Mull, Lewis, North Uist, South Uist and Shetland East with sea lice levels up to ten times over the thresholds for treatment, threatening migrating wild salmon and sea trout with lethal infestation.

In stark contrast to the Minister’s lack of action, STAS argues the Highland Council now appears “to be standing up for wild salmon and sea trout on behalf of the local communities it represents.”

Refusing planning permission this August for a 10-cage salmon farm in Loch Slapin on the Isle of Skye, the Highland Council concluded that “it is the sea lice impacts on wild salmonids in particular, given the historical problems in this loch system, which is of main concern” describing the likely effect on wild fish populations as “unacceptable.”

Also in August, the Highland Council defended a 10 year time-limit placed on an existing salmon farm in Loch Torridon and refused the fish farmers’ application for permanent planning permission, stating that since the farm was first given permission “nothing substantive has changed to lessen sea lice impacts on wild salmonids” and that “high sea lice levels present at a time when peak values would not be expected is of concern regarding their potential impact on wild salmonids.”

Shamefully, argues ST(S), Marine Scotland did not object to either application and appears to be ignoring the advice of its own fisheries scientists at Marine Scotland Science, who have repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that “scientific evidence from Norway and Ireland indicates a detrimental effect of sea-lice on sea trout and salmon populations.”

Hugh Campbell Adamson, Chairman of STAS, said: “The STA is delighted to see local authorities taking on their responsibilities for the sea lice issue at last. We applaud the Highland Council for grasping the issue.

“Loch Broom and Little Loch Broom have a similar track record of appalling fish farm sea-lice problems as Loch Slapin, so the question is will the Minister follow the Highland Council’s lead and direct the closure of the Two Brooms fish farms?

“If those farms applied to the Council for planning permission now, it seems highly likely that they would not be granted that permission. The fish farmers have had ample time to show they can control sea lice, but the parasites are still rampant on the Two Brooms farms.

“It is simply not credible for the Minister to reply that he is still ‘keeping the situation under review’ or offer some such other platitude. He must now act and close the Two Brooms farms.”

This story originally appeared in fishnewseu.com.