Salmon feed formulation affects both fish welfare and ecosystem sustainability. Transition from fish meal to alternative proteins raises both welfare and environmental implications.
Salmon nutrition directly impacts welfare through its effects on immune function, skeletal integrity, and physiological health. As feed formulations have shifted toward higher plant protein content, nutritional science has worked to maintain welfare outcomes by identifying and supplementing limiting amino acids, essential fatty acids, and micronutrients that are less available from plant sources. Skeletal deformities — a welfare concern causing chronic pain and impaired swimming — are linked to nutritional imbalances including vitamin C, phosphorus, and tryptophan deficiencies. Cataract development from histidine deficiency reduces visual function. Getting the nutritional balance right is essential welfare management as well as good production practice. The welfare implications of novel protein sources including insect meal and algae are being actively investigated.