Fish farms drive wild salmon populations toward extinction

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Pink salmon fry infected with sea lice. Credit: Image credit: Alexandra Morton
Pink salmon fry infected with sea lice. Credit: Image credit: Alexandra Morton

A study appearing in the December 14 issue of the journal Science shows, for the first time, that parasitic sea lice infestations caused by salmon farms are driving nearby populations of wild salmon toward extinction. The results show that the affected pink salmon populations have been rapidly declining for four years. The scientists expect a 99% collapse in another four years, or two salmon generations, if the infestations continue.


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All News summaries for December 13, 2007

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