Atlantic salmon farming in Scottish sea lochs occurs in the specific environmental context of sheltered fjordic waters. Understanding how loch environments affect welfare guides better farm management.
Salmon welfare in Scottish loch systems is influenced by the specific hydrographic characteristics of each site. Poorly flushed lochs accumulate waste beneath cages and can develop hypoxic conditions that force fish upward into crowded surface layers. Stratification creates thermal barriers that limit effective cage depth and concentrate fish in warmer surface water during summer heat stress periods. Sea lice transmission between neighbouring farms through water circulation creates welfare challenges that no individual farm can fully address through isolated management. Understanding site-specific environmental conditions is essential for welfare-positive farm management.