Wild Salmon Welfare in Rivers and Fisheries

Wild salmon face extraordinary challenges including dams, habitat degradation, overfishing, and climate change. Their welfare during capture and handling in fisheries also warrants consideration.

Key Facts

Wild Atlantic salmon populations have declined by over 70% since the 1970s in many river systems
Pacific salmon populations face severe declines in some river systems while others remain healthy
Dams block migration routes, preventing salmon from reaching spawning grounds
Climate change is raising river temperatures beyond salmon thermal tolerance limits
Sport fishing with catch-and-release may cause injury, exhaustion, and delayed mortality in salmon
Commercial fishing methods including gill nets and fish wheels cause significant mortality and stress

Welfare Considerations

Wild salmon welfare spans both conservation and individual welfare dimensions. At population level, habitat degradation, overfishing, and climate change cause massive mortality and suffering through failed migrations, disease, and starvation. At individual level, fishing methods including hooking, handling, and warm water exposure during release cause acute suffering and mortality. Dam removal is the most effective conservation intervention, restoring migration access and habitat complexity. Fishing welfare improvements include barbless hooks, rapid handling, and cold water release. Both salmon conservation and individual welfare benefit from the same protective measures.

What You Can Do

Support dam removal projects that restore salmon migration routes
Use barbless hooks and minimize handling time and air exposure when fishing for salmon
Support river temperature monitoring and cooling programs during heat events
Choose certified sustainable wild salmon products to support responsible fisheries