Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Climate Adaptation

Rising sea temperatures are creating welfare crises for farmed Atlantic salmon as their optimal temperature range is exceeded more frequently.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon optimal temperature is 12-14 degrees Celsius
Temperatures above 18 degrees cause thermal stress and mass mortality events
Climate change is increasing sea surface temperatures in key salmon farming regions
Recirculating aquaculture systems provide temperature control but at high cost
Genetic selection for heat tolerance is under active investigation

Welfare Considerations

Climate change is transforming farmed salmon welfare from a management challenge into an existential crisis in some regions. Mass mortality events involving millions of fish represent extreme welfare failures. Adaptation options including site relocation, recirculating systems, and heat-tolerant genetics all have welfare implications and require careful evaluation.

What You Can Do

Support research on climate-resilient salmon farming methods
Advocate for aquaculture climate adaptation planning requirements
Choose salmon from regions less vulnerable to thermal stress
Support transition of vulnerable salmon farms to recirculating systems
Engage with climate change as a fish welfare issue