Cermaq Norway adopts lasers to combat salmon lice

Many salmon farmers now utilize fish lasers, which currently safeguard and monitor over 50 million salmon and trout continuously. "Lice lasers have proven effective in maintaining low lice levels, allowing us to reduce the use of many mechanical delousing methods and thus prevent stress on the fish, ensuring they swim peacefully. Our aim at Cermaq is to manage lice levels as much as possible using preventive technology, and lasers are among several methods we are keen to increase usage of to guarantee optimal fish welfare," states Karl Fredrik Ottem, Cermaq Norway's head of fish health. The sea locations Veggfjell and Svartfjell will be installing lasers in the coming weeks, with more sea locations to follow in the subsequent months. Approximately 140 lasers will be installed in total. Cermaq will persist in assessing the lasers' effectiveness. A dedicated team of laser operators will be responsible for the lasers' optimal placement and operation, affiliated with Cermaq's growth center in Nordfold. A crucial aspect of this task will be to refine our procedures to ensure best practice and optimal results from laser usage. "The laser nodes also provide sophisticated monitoring of lice levels and fish welfare, offering the sea locations valuable insight into lice development and fish health. We are confident that using lice lasers is a positive move towards ensuring both fish welfare and the most sustainable production possible," adds Ottem. Salmon lice pose a challenge for the entire industry, and it's crucial to have a variety of tools to manage sea lice. Cermaq is committed to identifying and implementing the most suitable preventive lice technology for each specific location to ensure the best possible biological control where we farm. Besides lasers, Cermaq currently employs methods such as submersible cages, tube nuts, deep lice skirts, and deep feeding as preventive measures against lice. The light lasers are manufactured by Stingray Marine Solutions, and managing director John A. Breivik is excited to significantly expand the partnership in the future. "This is a new and significant milestone for us at Stingray. We have already gained valuable experience over a couple of years and have developed a strong partnership with Cermaq and the excellent team at the sea locations, a global leader in fish welfare and sustainability," he concludes.