Wild Animals

Wild Salmon Welfare and River Conservation

Wild Atlantic salmon face severe welfare challenges from habitat degradation, barriers, disease, and climate change.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon populations have declined by over 50 percent in recent decades
Migratory barriers including weirs, dams, and culverts prevent salmon from reaching spawning grounds
Sea lice from salmon farms infest wild salmon passing nearby, increasing parasite burden
Rising river temperatures due to climate change stress salmon during summer months
Fish passes allow salmon to navigate barriers but vary widely in effectiveness

Welfare Considerations

Wild salmon face mounting welfare challenges from multiple human-caused pressures. Migratory barriers, aquaculture-derived parasites, and warming rivers impose cumulative physiological stress that reduces survival, spawning success, and individual welfare. Restoring river connectivity and reducing aquaculture impacts are key welfare priorities.

What You Can Do

Support river restoration projects that remove or bypass migratory barriers
Advocate for regulation of salmon farm sea lice levels to protect wild fish
Choose sustainably sourced salmon from farms with strong sea lice control
Support monitoring of wild salmon river temperatures and climate adaptation measures