Farmed Animals

Aquaculture Salmon Welfare Standards

Atlantic salmon farming is one of the largest aquaculture industries globally, with significant welfare concerns around density, sea lice, and slaughter practices.

Key Facts

Norway produces over 1.4 million tonnes of farmed salmon annually
Sea lice infestations are the leading disease challenge in salmon farming
Salmon are sensitive to their social environment and show stress responses to crowding
They have a strong homing instinct and would naturally travel thousands of miles
Farmed salmon are typically killed at 2-3 years of age, before reaching sexual maturity

Welfare Considerations

Salmon welfare science has advanced rapidly, establishing that salmon experience pain and stress. High stocking densities (up to 25 kg per cubic meter) cause chronic stress, immune suppression, and aggressive interactions. Sea lice treatments — both chemical and mechanical — cause significant welfare impacts. Slaughter methods vary widely, with electrical stunning followed by gill cutting being superior to suffocation.

What You Can Do

Choose salmon certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) for higher welfare standards
Reduce salmon consumption from uncertified industrial farms
Advocate for mandatory stunning before slaughter in all salmon farming regulations
Support investment in welfare-improving recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS)