Dr. Cecil Beamish:

The figure of 1% is very clear. The report states:

The observed level of marine mortality attributable to sea lice infestation is very small, both in absolute terms (approximately 1%) and as a proportion of the overall marine mortality which in this study had a mean value >90% at all locations. At these levels, it is unlikely to influence the conservation status of stocks and is not a significant driver of marine mortality. Recent studies have been carried out in Norway with broadly similar results (Skilbrei & Wennevik 2006).

I could go on. If anybody is looking for the report, it is published in the March 2013 edition of Journal of Fish Diseases. The reason I quoted that particular study is that it is the latest one and is a particularly large study conducted over a nine-year period. Whatever decisions are taken on the sea lice issue, it would be in the national interest for everybody to be informed by whatever science is available.