Indigenous-led standard leads Cermaq to down sea lice levels without mechanical assistance

In a joint statement, Cermaq Canada and the Ahousaht First Nation, Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society (MHSS), announced the results of the first complete cycle of salmon grown to harvest without the need for sea lice treatment through mechanical delousing. The indigenous-led standard has led the salmon farming company to successfully down sea lice levels in its operations in the Ahousaht Territory in British Columbia (BC).

According to regulations from Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), sea lice levels must be below the threshold of 2.8 mobile lice during migration. However, Ahousaht's Protocol Agreement with Cermaq Canada - both parties renewed the protocol for environmental protection in May 2022 - stipulates that sea lice levels must not exceed 1.5 motile lice during the outmigration and 2.5 lice through the remainder of the year.

The rules set by the Ahousaht First Nation are therefore even stricter than those of the Canadian government, yet judging by the results, they have proven to be successful. According to a joint release, in 2022, Cermaq Canada carried out 56 mechanical delousing treatments to maintain an annual lice level of 1.93. In contrast, in the last 12 months, without carrying out any treatments, the company has maintained a lice level of 0.30.

"As Cermaq completes its first production (22 months from entry to harvest) with zero mechanical delousing treatments since the introduction of mechanical delousing in 2020, I am filled with resolve that when First Nations leadership is central to resource business decision making the result is beneficial to all involved – especially the long-term health and prosperity of our traditional waters in this case," said Richard George, Hasheukumiss, Ahousaht.

"This success in farm management under a strict and comprehensive protocol agreement with the Rightsholder Nation is a true example of what can be achieved when aquaculture operations advance in context of local communities, local ecosystems, traditional ecological knowledge, while incorporating modern science and innovation that is purposeful and effective," the hereditary chief of the Ahousaht First Nation in BC and president of the Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society continued.

"Years of collaborative advancement in sea lice management"

As highlighted in the statement, these results are the fruit of "years of collaborative advancement in sea lice management" of Cermaq Canada's operations in Ahousaht Territory, in British Columbia, where the salmon company has 12 active marine farm sites supported by 3 land-based hatchery and broodstock facilities, and employs approximately 215 people.

The combination of practical and achievable technologies, together with the implementation of management and operational practices under the indigenous-led standard, has contributed to this significant decrease in the number of sea lice at those twelve marine farms.

"This phenomenal result has been the culmination of joint efforts of MHSS and Cermaq Canada to first identify a clear goal that respected the Ahousaht First Nation's knowledge of their lands and waters and what would be required of our company to operate within their Hahulli. Second, the ability of our incredible team at Cermaq Canada to make that goal a reality through world-leading innovative technologies and practices that were fit for purpose across our sites in Ahousaht Territory," said David Kiemele, Managing Director of Cermaq Canada.

Since sea lice are parasites that occur naturally on wild and farmed salmon, reducing them in one of these farming environments not only contributes to improving the overall welfare outcomes of Cermaq's farmed fish but also to decreasing the overall sea lice numbers in the region.

Thus, the results of the joint strategy by Cermaq and the Ahousaht First Nation to combat sea lice are not only a success for this partnership, but also support the long-held belief of the BC Salmon Farmers Association - of which Cermaq Canada is a member - that the coexistence of wild and farm-raised salmon is possible in British Columbia, and that an indigenous-led transition plan, rather than a ban, should be the future for salmon farming in the region.