Wild Salmon Welfare and River Restoration

Wild salmon face multiple welfare threats including habitat loss, pollution, fishing pressure, and climate change. River restoration is among the most impactful welfare and conservation interventions available.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon populations have declined by over 50% in many European rivers over the past 25 years due to multiple stressors
Migration barriers including dams and weirs block salmon from reaching spawning grounds, causing significant mortality and population decline
River temperature increases from climate change are pushing salmon beyond their thermal tolerance, causing physiological stress and mortality
Sea lice from salmon farms infest wild salmon smolts migrating past farm sites, causing mortality in some river systems
Fish passes and dam removal restore migratory access and have shown significant population recovery in multiple river systems
Catch and release angling reduces killing of salmon but still causes physiological stress — welfare-conscious practices minimize harm

Welfare Considerations

Wild salmon welfare is inseparable from river ecosystem health. The stressors affecting salmon populations — habitat degradation, temperature, barriers, parasites — all cause individual welfare harm at scale. River restoration, including dam removal, riparian habitat improvement, and water quality protection, simultaneously improves welfare for millions of salmon and other species. This makes it one of the highest-leverage animal welfare interventions available, with benefits extending across entire river catchments.

What You Can Do

Support river restoration organizations working on dam removal, fish pass installation, and riparian habitat improvement
Advocate for stronger water quality protections and minimum flow requirements for salmon rivers
Practice welfare-conscious angling including quick handling, barbless hooks, and water retention during release
Donate to wild salmon conservation programs working on habitat restoration and population monitoring