Norwegian aquaculture researchers are trialing electric fences as a potential solution to reduce sea lice infestations, a perennial challenge for the salmon farming industry. ‘
The initiative is part of the BioSeaLice project, led by NORCE Norwegian Research Centre in collaboration with Harbor AS and funded by the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF).
The technology involves deploying electrically charged barriers around sea pens to deter sea lice larvae from infesting farmed salmon. Early trials have shown promising results, with the fences significantly reducing lice infestations during large-scale tests at commercial salmon farms.
Innovation in Lice Control
“Electric barriers offer a novel approach to controlling lice populations,” said Tarald Kleppa, Head of Research and Development at Harbor AS. “While the concept has shown promise, further research is required to optimize the systems and fully understand their biological impact.”
The project aims to address one of the aquaculture industry’s most costly problems. Traditional methods, such as mechanical and thermal delousing, often lead to fish stress and high operational costs. With sea lice developing resistance to chemical treatments, alternative solutions have become a priority.
Research Focus Areas
The BioSeaLice team will study how electric fields affect the mortality and behavior of sea lice larvae, with experiments testing:
- Larval survival rates after exposure to varying electric intensities.
- Changes in larval behavior and ability to attach to salmon.
- Impact on non-target plankton species.
The research will also explore how environmental factors such as salinity and seasonality influence the effectiveness of electric barriers.
A Two-Way Barrier
In addition to protecting salmon, the electric fences may prevent lice from spreading from infected fish into surrounding waters. This dual functionality could reduce overall lice pressure in fjords and coastal ecosystems.
“Lowering lice transmission benefits not just farmed salmon but also wild populations, supporting broader marine biodiversity goals,” said Helena Hauss, Project Lead and Research Director at NORCE.
