Aquatic Animals

Salmon Welfare in Aquaculture

Farmed salmon are sentient fish who experience significant welfare challenges in intensive aquaculture operations worldwide.

Key Facts

Norway produces over 1 million tonnes of farmed Atlantic salmon annually
Salmon farms can house up to 50,000 fish in a single enclosure
Sea lice infestations cause chronic pain and skin damage in farmed salmon
Salmon have been shown to experience stress and fear responses
Crowding in farm pens restricts natural swimming and territorial behaviors

Welfare Considerations

Salmon are cognitively sophisticated fish capable of experiencing pain, stress, and potentially suffering. Commercial aquaculture often keeps them at densities far exceeding what they would encounter in the wild. Sea lice infestations, disease outbreaks, and oxygen depletion cause chronic welfare problems. Slaughter methods vary widely in humaneness, with many salmon experiencing prolonged stress before death.

What You Can Do

Reduce or eliminate farmed salmon from your diet
Choose wild-caught salmon from sustainable fisheries when possible
Support certification schemes that include welfare standards for farmed fish
Advocate for improved regulations on fish welfare in aquaculture
Support research into more humane aquaculture practices