Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Welfare Improvements

As salmon farming scales globally, welfare science is providing actionable improvements for millions of fish.

Key Facts

Over 2.7 million tonnes of Atlantic salmon are farmed annually
Sea lice infestations cause skin erosion and chronic pain
Crowding at harvest can cause oxygen depletion and suffocation
Electrical stunning before slaughter significantly reduces suffering

Welfare Considerations

Farmed salmon experience a range of welfare challenges including parasitism, crowding, handling stress, and inhumane slaughter. Research has shown that salmon display pain responses, learn from aversive experiences, and have complex social needs. Welfare improvements — including lower stocking densities, sea lice management, and humane slaughter — are technically feasible and increasingly demanded by retailers and certifiers.

What You Can Do

Choose salmon certified by aquaculture welfare standards
Support research into salmon sentience and welfare
Advocate for mandatory humane slaughter requirements for farmed fish
Ask retailers which salmon welfare standards they require from suppliers