Wild Atlantic salmon populations have declined by over 70% since the 1970s. Restoration efforts involve removing barriers, restoring habitat, and rethinking fishery management — with significant welfare implications for both wild fish and hatchery-released animals.
Restoration of wild salmon raises complex welfare questions. Hatchery fish released into rivers often have poor survival rates and may suffer during capture, transport, and release; mass-release programmes can cause significant mortality. Dam removal causes short-term ecological disruption. Predator control targeting species that consume salmon involves killing sentient animals, typically with poor evidence of effectiveness. The welfare of wild salmon themselves — who experience migration challenges, injury, predation, and disease — is increasingly considered alongside population-level conservation goals. Restoration approaches that prioritise habitat quality and connectivity over stocking tend to benefit both population viability and individual fish welfare.