Securing sustainable supply of lumpfish for salmon aquaculture

Establishing a secure and sustainable supply of lumpfish

Sea lice are a significant challenge in global salmon farming, impacting fish health and farm productivity. Among the strategies to control these parasites, the use of ‘cleaner fish’ - species that naturally remove lice from salmon – has proven highly effective. In the UK, ballan wrasse has been used for this purpose since 2012, with lumpsucker (lumpfish) production beginning in 2014

Valued at £2.1m, the partners on this project were Mowi Scotland, Pharmaq, BioMar, Bakkafrost Scotland (formerly The Scottish Salmon Company), Otter Ferry Seafish and The Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling.

The project aimed to improve the availability, quality, and welfare of lumpsuckers while ensuring they perform well in salmon cages. Research focused on four areas:

• Broodstock management: closing the production cycle by refining spawning techniques, improving egg quality, and using genomic tools to maintain genetic diversity.
• Larval and juvenile rearing: optimising feeding strategies and growth conditions to produce robust, healthy fish.
• Pen management: studying how environmental factors, stocking ratios, and feeding affect lumpsucker behaviour and lice removal.
• Health management: addressing disease risks and improving welfare standards.

The project delivered new knowledge, tools, and protocols in relation to cleaner fish production, e.g., developing genomic and immune markers and validation of hydroacoustic monitoring. For the sector more widely, the project improved fish welfare, helped with decision-making and supported major investments in facilities and staff. Producers including Mowi and Otter Ferry Seafish expanded their operations, while new products such as specialised feeds and spawning aids emerged.

The project helped to position the UK at the forefront of global cleaner fish research, helping salmon aquaculture become more sustainable and resilient.

The full title of this project is ‘Securing sustainable supply and optimal deployment of lumpsuckers for sea lice control in the Scottish salmon sector’.

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