Salmon hatcheries supplement wild populations for conservation and fisheries, but hatchery conditions affect both the welfare of reared fish and the fitness of released animals.
Hatchery salmon experience welfare challenges from crowding, artificial feed, and lack of environmental complexity. These conditions also compromise post-release survival by reducing anti-predator behavior and foraging efficiency. Welfare improvements, including reduced stocking density, flow-through tanks that simulate river conditions, and enrichment, produce fish better adapted to survive after release. The welfare and conservation goals of hatchery management therefore align: better-reared fish survive longer and support wild population recovery more effectively.