Aquaculture

Sea Cage Aquaculture Welfare: Standards and Challenges

Sea cage aquaculture for salmon and other species faces significant welfare challenges from sea lice, escape risk, environmental variability, and slaughter practices at harvest.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon sea cage production is the largest UK aquaculture sector
Sea lice infestations cause skin damage, stress, and welfare compromise
Mechanical and thermal lice treatments cause significant treatment stress
Cage environments expose fish to environmental variability including temperature and oxygen fluctuations
Crowding before harvest causes stress that can be reduced with appropriate management

Welfare Considerations

Sea cage welfare is challenged by the open environment that exposes fish to variable conditions, predator pressure, and sea lice. Lice treatments including freshwater baths, laser systems, and thermal treatments each carry welfare implications. Harvest involving crowding, pumping, and slaughter must be managed to minimise stress and ensure effective stunning.

What You Can Do

Choose ASC certified salmon from producers with sea lice welfare commitments
Ask retailers about treatment methods and lice burden management at suppliers
Support development of effective and welfare-positive sea lice control methods
Advocate for mandatory welfare standards in salmon farming legislation
Follow Salmon Scotland and industry commitments to welfare improvement