Aquatic Animals

Farmed Salmon Climate Adaptation Welfare

Rising ocean temperatures are creating new welfare challenges for Atlantic salmon aquaculture that require adaptation in farm siting and management.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon require cold, well-oxygenated water — optimal temperature range is 10-14 degrees C
Climate-driven sea temperature rises are causing chronic heat stress in salmon farms in some regions
Warm water reduces oxygen availability and increases disease susceptibility
Deep-water pens and cooler siting locations offer partial adaptation pathways

Welfare Considerations

Salmon experiencing thermal stress show reduced feeding, increased respiration rates and immune suppression — all indicators of negative welfare states. As sea temperatures rise, salmon farms in marginal climate zones are increasingly pushing fish into chronic stress. This is both a welfare and production problem, creating economic incentive for adaptation. The welfare needs of farmed salmon must be central to climate adaptation planning for aquaculture.

What You Can Do

Support research into climate-resilient salmon aquaculture systems
Advocate for welfare-based temperature thresholds in salmon farm regulations
Choose salmon from farms in cooler, more suitable climate zones where possible
Support development of land-based recirculating aquaculture that controls water temperature