Scottish aquaculture produces approximately 180,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon annually — around 8% of global production. The industry employs 12,000 people directly and is economically critical for Highland and Island communities. Welfare challenges are significant given the production scale.
Scottish salmon farming is regulated by SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) for environmental standards, Marine Scotland for site licensing, and the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission (SAWC) for welfare guidance. The SAWC 2021 report on salmon welfare made 33 recommendations for welfare improvement.
Key SAWC recommendations included: mandatory welfare plans for all farms, independent welfare auditing, improved record-keeping and reporting, limits on sea lice infestation levels, and development of welfare outcome indicators. The Scottish Government committed to implementing the recommendations over a 5-year period.
Scottish salmon farms experience significant mortality, particularly from amoebic gill disease (AGD), sea lice, cataracts, and jellyfish blooms. Average annual mortality rates of 15-25% represent millions of fish dying of disease or stress annually. Reducing mortality is both a welfare and economic priority.
The RSPCA Assured scheme certifies a significant proportion of Scottish salmon production. The scheme requires welfare plans, veterinary health monitoring, and regular inspections. Certified farms must meet standards on stocking density, environmental monitoring, sea lice management, and handling.
Scottish salmon farming is subject to sustained campaign pressure from organizations including Compassion in World Farming, One Kind, and the Salmon & Trout Conservation Scotland. NGO monitoring, including mortality data releases, influences regulatory and retailer responses. Industry bodies are increasingly proactive on welfare to maintain social license.