Aquaculture

Sea Trout Welfare in Estuarine and Coastal Habitats

Sea trout (migratory brown trout) face welfare challenges during their coastal migration phase from sea lice exposure, netting and water temperature stress, compounding threats to this declining species.

Key Facts

Sea trout are the migratory form of brown trout and are genetically identical to resident riverine fish
They spend 1-4 years feeding at sea before returning to their natal rivers to spawn
Sea lice from salmon aquaculture farms are a significant welfare threat in areas with dense farm operations
Net fisheries targeting sea trout in estuaries cause wounding and physiological stress before release or retention

Welfare Considerations

Sea trout welfare is affected by multiple anthropogenic pressures during their coastal migration, with sea lice exposure potentially causing significant physiological stress and reduced immune function before fish even enter freshwater. The cumulative welfare impact of lice burden plus capture stress plus river barriers can contribute to pre-spawning mortality.

What You Can Do

Support sustainable fisheries management that protects sea trout migration corridors
Advocate for review of salmon aquaculture siting in relation to sea trout migration routes
Support river restoration that removes barriers to sea trout spawning migration
Record sea trout catches and returns via national angling surveys to contribute to population monitoring