Aquaculture

Welfare of Commercially Farmed Atlantic Salmon

Atlantic salmon farming is a major aquaculture industry with significant welfare challenges from sea lice, crowding, and handling stress.

Key Facts

Norway and Chile are the world's largest Atlantic salmon producers
Sea lice infestations cause significant welfare problems and are difficult to treat
Salmon are kept at densities that can cause chronic stress
Treatments for sea lice include chemical bath dips and laser systems
Wild salmon populations have declined in part due to escaped farmed fish

Welfare Considerations

Atlantic salmon in farm conditions experience multiple welfare insults. High density causes chronic stress and aggression. Sea lice infestations cause tissue damage and debilitation that significantly reduces welfare. Treatment methods including bath dips stress fish further. Crowded conditions allow rapid disease transmission. Slaughter methods in salmon farming often do not render fish unconscious quickly enough.

What You Can Do

Choose ASC-certified salmon when purchasing farmed fish
Ask seafood suppliers about their welfare practices
Support improved welfare standards in salmon aquaculture regulations
Reduce farmed salmon consumption given current welfare challenges