Salmon is about to get a lot more expensive

The price of salmon is expected to rise sharply in 2017 — and the reason is pretty gross.

Sea lice have infested salmon farms in Scotland and Norway. The parasite isn't a new problem, but they have caused more harm with the growth of large salmon farms. Researchers also found that warmer waters, caused by climate change, could be making the sea lice problem worse.

Sea lice are also affecting wild salmon populations as they come into contact with the fish at salmon farms, Time reports.

The price of salmon is expected to rise in 2017 due to the spread of sea lice. The price of salmon is expected to rise in 2017 due to the spread of sea lice. Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle Photo: John Storey, Special To The Chronicle Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close Salmon is about to get a lot more expensive 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

NASDAQ tracks the price of the fish with a "salmon index," which has gone up 15 percent over the past three months. Plus, Norwegian salmon prices are up 40 percent since 2015, according to a report by the Norwegian Seafood Council.

A Financial Times report predicts the trend will likely continue.

The bump in price comes from fish farmers passing off the cost of fighting sea lice to the consumers. Some farmers have used pesticides to fight sea lice, but some strands have become immune. Other farmers have invested millions of dollars in special farms that keep the pests at bay.

In both cases, farmers are going to have to raise prices to make up for the extra expenses.