Wild Salmon Farming Alternatives

Land-based salmon aquaculture offers the potential to dramatically reduce welfare and environmental problems of ocean net-pen salmon farming.

Key Facts

Recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) on land can produce salmon with zero ocean environmental impact
RAS systems can achieve welfare benefits through stable water quality and disease control
Land-based salmon facilities are operating in Denmark, Norway, Canada, and the US
Capital and energy costs of RAS are higher than ocean net-pen systems
Consumer willingness to pay a premium for RAS salmon could drive the transition

Welfare Considerations

Land-based recirculating salmon systems represent one of the most promising welfare improvements in aquaculture because they address multiple welfare problems simultaneously: sea lice infestations become manageable without chemical treatments, water quality can be precisely controlled, and fish do not experience the crowding and disease pressure common in ocean pens. The welfare gains must be weighed against the energy costs of RAS systems, which require careful assessment of net welfare impact per kilogram of fish produced.

What You Can Do

Choose land-based RAS salmon when it becomes available in your market
Support investment and policy frameworks that facilitate RAS salmon development
Advocate for welfare requirements in salmon farming regulations that favor RAS
Reduce farmed salmon consumption until welfare standards improve industry-wide
Share information about RAS salmon technology with those interested in seafood welfare