Wildlife

Wild Salmon Welfare in Rivers and at Sea

Wild Atlantic salmon face extraordinary challenges throughout their life cycle that affect individual welfare.

Key Facts

Wild Atlantic salmon populations have declined by 70% since 1970
They undertake extraordinary migrations from rivers to the North Atlantic and back
Sea lice from fish farms are implicated in wild salmon mortality
River obstacles including weirs and dams prevent migration to spawning grounds

Welfare Considerations

Wild salmon attempting to ascend rivers blocked by weirs without fish passes exhaust themselves repeatedly attempting impossible jumps. Sea lice infesting wild salmon at levels boosted by proximity to fish farms cause tissue damage and osmotic stress. Each obstacle, each louse burden, each failed spawning attempt represents individual animal suffering that is substantially human-caused and preventable.

What You Can Do

Support river restoration and fish pass installation programmes
Advocate for wild salmon habitat protection in marine and freshwater areas
Donate to Atlantic Salmon Trust and similar organisations
Engage with policy on sea lice management around wild salmon migration routes