Salmon Welfare in Scottish Aquaculture: 2025 Standards

Scotland produces approximately 180,000 tonnes of farmed Atlantic salmon annually. Welfare standards have improved substantially but sea lice, gill disease and crowding at harvest remain challenges.

Key Facts

Scottish salmon farming employs over 2,000 people and is valued at over GBP600 million annually
RSPCA Assured certification covers approximately 25% of Scottish salmon production
Sea lice infestations require treatment that itself causes stress — mechanical delousing is preferred
Gill disease (complex gill disorder) affects a growing proportion of Scottish farms
Welfare indicators collected at harvest include cataracts, fin damage and skin lesions

Welfare Considerations

Salmon welfare in Scottish aquaculture has improved substantially in response to regulatory and certification pressure, but challenges remain. Crowding during mechanical lice removal causes acute stress. Gill disease causes chronic respiratory compromise. Harvest welfare — the transition from cage to slaughter — involves transport, crowding and stunning that must be managed carefully. Consumer demand for RSPCA Assured salmon is the primary market driver for welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Choose RSPCA Assured salmon as the welfare-preferable UK option
Ask retailers about sea lice treatment methods used by their salmon suppliers
Support RSPCA Assured and SSPCA welfare auditing investment in Scottish salmon farms
Engage with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council on welfare standards for Scottish salmon
Follow Scottish Government aquaculture regulation updates for welfare requirements