Aquaculture

Net Pen Salmon Farming and Welfare

Marine net pen aquaculture is the dominant production system for Atlantic salmon, with significant welfare implications throughout the production cycle.

Key Facts

Over 90% of farmed Atlantic salmon is produced in open net pen systems
Net pens expose salmon to sea lice, storms, and disease from wild fish
Crowding at harvest, handling, and slaughter are major welfare risk periods
Salmon are sentient fish capable of pain and suffering
Alternative land-based systems can eliminate sea lice and reduce weather exposure

Welfare Considerations

Net pen salmon farming presents welfare challenges at multiple points in the production cycle. Sea lice infestations, storm exposure, crowding during treatments and harvest, and slaughter methods all carry significant welfare implications. While net pens are economically dominant, land-based recirculating aquaculture systems offer the potential to address many of these welfare challenges.

What You Can Do

Support salmon welfare certification that includes net pen standards
Choose salmon from land-based systems where available
Advocate for sea lice thresholds and treatment welfare standards
Raise awareness about net pen salmon welfare with consumers
Support transition funding for salmon producers moving toward higher welfare systems