Farmed Salmon Welfare in Aquaculture

Atlantic salmon face significant welfare challenges in aquaculture, from crowding stress to disease management practices.

Key Facts

Norway alone produces over 1.5 million tonnes of farmed salmon annually, representing billions of individual fish
Sea lice infestations cause skin lesions, stress, and mortality and require repeated treatment interventions
Common treatments include thermal and freshwater bathing, mechanical removal, and chemical treatments — all stressful
Crowding during harvesting and handling causes acute stress detectable via cortisol and behavioral measures
Research confirms salmon are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain and chronic stress

Welfare Considerations

Farmed salmon face welfare challenges at every stage of production: crowding during grow-out, stressful treatments for sea lice, and slaughter methods that vary widely in humaneness. The industry is moving toward welfare indicators and improved slaughter techniques, but billions of fish are still subjected to prolonged stress and poor conditions. Consumer choices and regulatory pressure drive improvement.

What You Can Do

Choose salmon certified by welfare-conscious standards such as the RSPCA Assured scheme
Support organizations advocating for improved fish welfare in aquaculture
Reduce salmon consumption or shift to plant-based protein alternatives
Advocate for mandatory pre-slaughter stunning of farmed fish in your region
Stay informed through fish welfare organizations like the Fish Welfare Initiative