Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Immune Health Welfare

Immune health in farmed salmon is a welfare indicator linked to stocking conditions, nutrition, and disease prevention protocols.

Key Facts

Farmed salmon at high density have chronically elevated stress hormones suppressing immunity
Sea lice infestation compromises immune function synergistically with other stressors
Vaccination programs have significantly reduced antibiotic use in salmon farming
Nutritional immunology research has identified dietary supplements improving immune function

Welfare Considerations

Salmon with compromised immune function from chronic crowding stress are more susceptible to disease, require more frequent treatments, and suffer more severe welfare compromise during disease episodes. Improving immune health through density reduction, stress management, and appropriate nutrition is both a welfare and production priority. Vaccination development has been a major welfare advance reducing disease and antibiotic use simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Support salmon from farms with vaccination programs
Advocate for density standards that allow immune system maintenance
Choose certified salmon from operations with documented health management
Back research into nutritional immune support for farmed fish