Wildlife

Wild Salmon Welfare in Rivers

Wild salmon face significant welfare challenges from pollution, habitat degradation, and the stresses of their remarkable migration.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon populations have declined by over 70% since the 1970s
Salmon experience physiological stress during spawning migration in degraded rivers
Catch-and-release angling causes acute stress and injury in salmon
Warm river temperatures in summer cause thermal stress and mortality
Sea lice from fish farms can affect wild salmon welfare during coastal migration

Welfare Considerations

Wild salmon welfare is affected by the cumulative stresses of their extraordinary life cycle in increasingly degraded river systems. Pollution, low flows, high temperatures, and migratory barriers cause significant welfare harm alongside population declines. Welfare-conscious management of wild salmon should include habitat restoration, temperature management, and welfare standards in recreational angling.

What You Can Do

Support river restoration and salmon habitat improvement projects
Advocate for fishing regulations that include welfare-conscious catch-and-release guidelines
Raise awareness about the welfare dimension of wild fish conservation
Support temperature monitoring and management in salmon rivers
Choose aquaculture salmon that reduces sea lice pressure on wild salmon