Wild Salmon Welfare: Hatcheries, Migration, and Fishing

Wild salmon face welfare challenges throughout their lifecycle from hatchery conditions through migration barriers, predation pressure, and commercial fishing mortality.

Key Facts

Pacific and Atlantic salmon populations have declined dramatically due to dam construction and habitat loss
Fish passage at dams causes significant mortality and injury in migrating salmon
Hatchery-raised salmon show poorer welfare outcomes and survival than wild-born fish
Sea lice from fish farms can devastate wild salmon runs migrating past aquaculture sites
Commercial fishing causes barotrauma, exhaustion, and prolonged dying in captured fish
The Salmon Safe certification program addresses watershed practices affecting wild salmon

Welfare Considerations

Wild salmon welfare intersects conservation and individual animal suffering. Dams force fish to attempt exhausting bypass routes or die attempting to pass turbines. Sea lice infestations cause painful skin lesions and behavioral changes in wild fish exposed to fish farm plumes. Commercial fishing methods cause significant suffering in captured fish including barotrauma from rapid pressure changes and prolonged dying in air. Addressing wild salmon welfare requires both habitat restoration and improved fishing practices.

What You Can Do

Support dam removal campaigns to restore salmon migration routes
Choose seafood certified by programs that minimize wild fish bycatch and habitat damage
Donate to watershed restoration and wild salmon habitat protection organizations
Advocate for siting restrictions on fish farms near wild salmon migration routes