King salmon or Chinook is the largest Pacific salmon and a prestige aquaculture species in New Zealand, Chile, and the US, with welfare considerations specific to its large body size and demanding requirements.
King salmon in aquaculture face sea lice infestations that cause skin damage and osmotic stress. Crowding of large-bodied fish creates more severe welfare impacts per unit density than for smaller species. Temperature stress during warm summer periods causes suppressed immunity and disease. Slaughter welfare for large fish requires specific protocols to ensure effective stunning. New Zealand production is considered among the higher welfare sources but standards continue to need improvement.