Welfare implications of genetic selection and modification in farmed Atlantic salmon, including growth rate effects, disease resistance breeding, and the welfare of intensively farmed fish populations.
The genetic modification of farmed salmon for production traits has welfare implications that parallel concerns in terrestrial livestock — rapid growth may compromise structural health, disease susceptibility, and overall physiological welfare. Unlike livestock, salmon welfare remains poorly regulated despite growing scientific evidence of their sentience. Genetic approaches to improving salmon welfare — such as selecting for disease resistance, stress tolerance, and skeletal soundness — represent a more welfare-positive application of breeding science than simply maximizing growth rates. Consumer and regulatory pressure is needed to ensure that genetic selection programs in salmon aquaculture prioritize welfare alongside production efficiency.