Sea trout are the migratory form of brown trout, with welfare considerations in both wild catch fisheries and the salmon farm interactions affecting their populations.
Sea trout welfare is affected throughout the life cycle. Smolt mortality from sea lice acquired adjacent to salmon farms has been identified as a major population driver in affected areas. Angling catch-and-release causes acute stress that, with appropriate handling, is recoverable. On farms, sea trout are occasionally grown alongside or in lieu of Atlantic salmon with similar welfare requirements. Wild population declines represent a welfare concern at population level through reduced expression of natural migratory behaviour.