For this reason, a research programme based at Shieldaig has been initiated to examine the survival of sea trout smolts once they leave their native river, with particular emphasis being placed on investigating the interactions of sea lice between farmed and wild fish. Although these interactions are not fully understood, sea lice from fish farms, especially in enclosed sea lochs, may have led to a reduction in the marine survival of wild salmon and, in particular, sea trout.