EBN – Since March 2023, Scotland’s salmon industry and coastal waters have been ensnared in an extraordinary Category 4 marine heatwave.

The incident has triggered widespread marine fatalities and threatened the country’s vital salmon farming industry.

For salmon farms in Scotland, the staggering surge in water temperatures has resulted in a proliferation of sea lice infestations. Indeed, this has posed a severe threat to salmon populations.

In a recent investigative report, alarming evidence emerged from five farms, where fish were observed infested with invasive sea lice.

Climate-Driven Marine Heatwaves

“Marine heatwaves are becoming more frequent, widespread, and lasting longer,” said Lex Rigby, the head of investigations at Viva, a vegan campaigning charity.

Rigby further stated that the parasites feed voraciously on the skin, mucus, and blood of salmon.

In their natural habitat, sea lice are typically found in low numbers. However, within the confined spaces of salmon farms, their numbers increase substantially.

Furthermore, sea lice weaken the fish, often leading to premature mortality.

Indeed, 2022 witnessed a distressing doubling of salmon mortalities, reaching a record low for this species.

This year, the situation worsened dramatically, with 8.9 million fish dying prematurely on salmon farms by September alone.

Salmon Industry Struggles

Salmon farming was once considered a potential remedy for replenishing dwindling wild salmon populations.

The menace of sea lice has now exacerbated the situation, with parasites spreading from farms to wild salmon habitat.

In response, the fishing governing body has stressed its dedication to the health of the fish. It also noted its use of high-tech and innovative machines to fight the sea lice crisis.

However, the industry now grapples with a multifaceted threat arising from the escalating sea temperatures.

Jellyfish, which thrive in warmer waters, pose a dual threat by stinging the salmon and obstructing their gills.

The combination of rising temperatures and these threats has placed significant strain on marine ecosystems and aquaculture in Europe.

As salmon farms grapple with this crisis, the implications for the industry and the wider marine ecosystem remain deeply concerning.