32 SEPTEMBER • WORLD AQUACULTURE • WWW.WAS.ORG Learning from Wild Lumpfish Most lumpfish used in the Faroe Islands as cleaner fish are sourced from wild-caught broodstock, meaning they are essentially non-domesticated. With limited knowledge on lumpfish biology and husbandry, researchers naturally turned to wild lumpfish for guidance. Early in their use as cleaner fish, there were no established welfare indicators for lumpfish, leading to the need for species-specific assessments. Having accurate species-specific welfare indicators is crucial for ensuring the health and well-being of farmed fish. Many general welfare parameters used in aquaculture are derived from other species, which may not always be suitable for lumpfish. As a practically non-domesticated species with unique biological and behavioral traits, lumpfish require specialized indicators tailored to their needs. The Spectrum of Liver Colors Shortly after the introduction of lumpfish in the Faroe Islands in 2014, regular welfare checks were implemented to assess their health and condition, leading to the gradual development and refinement of suitable Operational Welfare Indicators (OWIs) based on observations and research. During welfare checks, researchers observed that lumpfish in a sea cage with a high survival rate had bright orange livers. Given the limited knowledge available on liver color in lumpfish, they turned to wild populations for insights. By examining the liver colors of farmed and wild lumpfish—assumed to be in optimal health—they aimed to identify potential correlations between pigmentation and overall wellOver the past two decades, the salmon farming industry in the Faroe Islands has experienced significant growth, positioning the archipelago as the fifth-largest Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) producer globally, despite its population of only 55,000 residents. Similar to other Atlantic salmon producers, the industry faces challenges from sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis), which pose a significant threat to both farmed salmon and wild trout populations. To combat sea lice infestations, the Faroese salmon farming industry has shifted away from chemical treatments toward non-chemical solutions, including the use of lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) as cleaner fish. In 2014, the Faroese salmon producer Hiddenfjord became the first to deploy lumpfish as cleaner fish in salmon cages, marking the beginning of their use in the Faroe Islands’ aquaculture industry. Since then, lumpfish have become an integral part of salmon farming, serving as natural cleaners to control sea lice infestations. Despite their widespread use, high mortality rates and welfare concerns have raised questions about their long-term sustainability. This has led to a decline in lumpfish use in both the Faroe Islands and Norway (Østerø et al., 2024). As lumpfish use in salmon farming was still in its early stages, the initial years were marked by trial and error, with farmers and researchers refining their approaches through hands-on experience. The small size of the Faroe Islands (Photo 1) allows for close collaboration between the industry, public institutions, and researchers, enabling the swift exchange of knowledge and the rapid implementation of solutions to industry challenges. Utilizing Wild Lumpfish Insights to Enhance Welfare and Performance of Lumpfish in Aquaculture Sandra Ljósá Østerø and Kirstin Eliasen PHOTO 1. Faroese salmon farming cages. Photo by Sandra Ljósá Østerø. PHOTO 2. Wild lumpfish liver. Photo by Kirstin Eliasen.
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