I was disappointed to read the headline on the report about research into mortality levels in wild Atlantic salmon as the implication that the primary origin of sea lice on wild fish comes from fish farms simply does not stand up ("Farmed fish lice link to wild salmon deaths", The Herald, November 7).

Sea lice are a naturally occurring parasite endemic in the marine environment.

Also, contrary to claims, this is not the first research paper of its kind. There are already a number of compelling scientific surveys in this area which do not support these claims.

However, there is consensus among the scientific community that the overwhelming majority of wild salmon, 95% of total populations according to this paper and higher according to others, die at sea. This has nothing to do with salmon farming. This is where further research should be undertaken.

Scott Landsburgh,

Chief executive,

Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation,

Durn,

Isla Road,

Perth.