Pest paradox

Sea lice feature in Fish Farmer every month, throughout the year, but we still feel they deserve (perhaps the wrong word) to be the focus of a special issue. While the parasites themselves are indeed pests, they tend to bring out the very best in the salmon farming industry, and investigating the various advances in treatment - from the west coast of Scotland to Shetland, from Norway to Wales - has been an enlightening exercise.

It’s a paradox that sea lice prompt negative headlines and are perceived to undermine the reputation of farmers, while they must be the single biggest driver of the current wave of scientific and technical excellence in the sector. We look at some of the innovations, and talk to inventors, vets, researchers, entrepreneurs - and the farming director of Scotland’s biggest salmon farmer - to chart the progress in research and management strategies.

Also in this issue, we hear from Ireland, where aquaculture development has stagnated under the weight of a legendary slow bureaucracy. But, as Devin O’Connell reports, there may be cause for optimism at last.

Our regular columnists, as usual, cover aspects of aquaculture that other publications don’t reach! So, if you want to learn about fish ethics, offshore installations, seafood consumption, perfect oysters, or food waste, read on.