Salmon farming in crisis: 'We are seeing a chemical arms race in the seas'

Rare only 40 years ago, farmed salmon is now taken for granted in our kitchens. But the growth of the industry has come at great costEvery day, salmon farmers across the world walk into steel cages - in the seas off Scotland or Norway or Iceland - and throw in food. Lots of food; they must feed tens of thousands of fish before the day is over. They must also check if there are problems, and there is one particular problem they are coming across more and more often. Six months ago, I met one of these salmon farmers, on the Isle of Skye. He looked at me and held out a palm - in it was a small, ugly-looking creature, all articulated shell and tentacles: a sea louse. He could crush it between his fingers, but said he was impressed that this parasite, which lives by attaching itself to a fish and eating its blood and skin, was threatening not just his own job, but could potentially wipe out a global multibillion-dollar industry that feeds millions of people."For a wee creature, it is impressive. But what can we do?" he asks. "Sometimes it seems nature is against us and we are fighting a losing battle. They are everywhere now, and just a few can kill a fish. When I started in fish farming 30 years ago, there were barely any. Now they are causing great problems." Continue reading...