The earliest life stages of farmed Atlantic salmon — from egg to smolt — involve significant welfare risks that shape fish health and welfare outcomes throughout the production cycle.
The welfare of farmed salmon in early life has historically received less attention than sea-phase challenges such as sea lice, yet these stages shape the animal's entire trajectory. Crowding, poor water quality, and disease pressure in freshwater hatcheries create chronic stress that compromises immune function long before fish enter the sea. The smoltification process is physiologically demanding — poorly timed transfers or water quality fluctuations can cause mass mortality. Hatcheries that invest in lower stocking densities, rigorous water quality monitoring, and gentle handling produce healthier, more resilient fish that experience better welfare outcomes throughout their lives.