Developing positive welfare indicators for farmed salmon moves beyond disease monitoring to assess whether fish are experiencing states that constitute good welfare.
Most current salmon welfare assessment focuses on negative indicators such as disease, injury, and mortality. Truly comprehensive welfare assessment also requires evidence of positive states. Salmon that actively explore their environment, compete for food, and maintain normal swimming patterns in good water quality show behavioural indicators consistent with positive welfare. Developing validated positive indicators for commercial use is a research priority.