Farm with highest sea lice levels (average per fish):

This figure shows the highest self-reported values of average sea lice per fish from the last reported week of data from farmers. There is no consistent methodology for how to record this value, and it is likely to be an underestimate based on testing of other self-reporting sea lice schemes.

Graph:

The average number of adult female sea lice (AFSL) reported on every farm in Scotland since legislation required it to be publicly reported.

The highest average value for each week is highlighted in red, while average values from other farms are in orange.

Yellow lines show Scottish Government (SG) imposed limits of 2 AFSL, which initiates higher monitoring, and 6 AFSL which can lead to further action from SG.

Blue lines show the Salmon Scotland Code of Good Practice limits agreed upon by industry, which set a limit of 0.5 AFSL during the sensitive period for out-migrating salmon from 1st February – 30th June (grey shaded area) and 1.0 AFSL from 1 st July – 31st January.

Proportion of farms in breach of CoGP:

The industry sets out a standard for acceptable sea lice levels in the Code of Good Practice (CoGP). These change throughout the year and are not the same as the Scottish governments reporting thresholds. The above values are based on the reported values of average sea lice per fish exceeding the acceptable threshold set out in the CoGP.

Farms in breach of Scottish Government lice limits:

The Scottish government sets a much higher threshold for action than the industry standard. The Scottish government requires a higher level of surveillance by the Fish Health Inspectorate at 2.0 adult female lice (AF) per fish, and potential for action (advisory letters or enforcement undertakings) if a level above 6.0 adult female lice (AF) per fish is maintained.

Company with the highest average lice levels:

The mean value of average lice across all the farms of each business based on the above reported average sea lice values on each farm for the last reported week.

Farms not providing an average sea lice count:

The number of active farms failing to provide a numerical average weekly sea lice count, instead reporting  “No count”. Common reasons used to justify this include “Withdrawal period prior to harvesting”, “Veterinary Advice”, “Site recently stocked” and “Broodstock visually inspected”.