Aquatic Animal Welfare

Sea Cage Aquaculture: Welfare in Open Water

Sea cage salmon and other fish farming places large numbers of fish in confined offshore pens, creating welfare challenges around disease, crowding, and escape stress.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon sea cages typically hold 20,000-50,000 fish
Current density regulations allow up to 25 kg of fish per cubic meter in some countries
Escapes from sea cages expose wild fish populations to disease and parasites
Severe weather events cause structural failures leading to mass escapes and mortality
Predator deterrence nets and acoustic devices cause additional stress to farmed fish

Welfare Considerations

Sea cage aquaculture creates welfare challenges that are inherent to the production system rather than mere management failures. High densities, parasite pressure, and mortality events during storms or equipment failures are difficult to eliminate without fundamental system redesign. Land-based recirculating aquaculture systems offer better welfare control but at higher cost.

What You Can Do

Choose salmon from land-based recirculating aquaculture systems where available
Support the Fish Welfare Initiative working on sea cage welfare standards
Reduce farmed salmon consumption or choose lower-welfare-impact seafood
Advocate for sea cage aquaculture to be subject to stricter welfare regulation