Disease Prevention in Aquaculture: A Welfare Priority

Disease is the leading welfare challenge in aquaculture, and prevention through biosecurity, vaccination, and management is far superior to treatment.

Key Facts

Disease causes significant mortality and morbidity in all major aquaculture species
Infectious salmon anemia, VHS, and koi herpesvirus are major welfare and economic threats
Vaccination has dramatically reduced antibiotic use in Norwegian salmon aquaculture
Biosecurity protocols prevent pathogen introduction through water, equipment, and animal movement
Site fallowing (leaving cages empty) breaks disease cycles and reduces parasite pressure
Water quality management is the foundation of disease prevention - stressed fish have impaired immunity
Quarantine of new stock prevents introduction of novel pathogens to naive populations

Welfare Considerations

Disease in aquaculture causes mass suffering - millions of fish experiencing infection, organ failure, and death in confined systems where escape from pathogens is impossible. Prevention investment through biosecurity, vaccination, and good water quality management eliminates the welfare burden of disease before it occurs. The transition in Norwegian salmon farming from high antibiotic use to near-zero antibiotic use through vaccination demonstrates that disease prevention at scale is achievable with appropriate investment.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture producers with transparent disease monitoring and prevention programs
Advocate for vaccination programs as alternatives to antibiotic use in aquaculture
Choose seafood from low-disease-pressure systems where possible
Support regulatory requirements for disease monitoring and reporting in aquaculture
Engage with aquaculture certification bodies to strengthen disease prevention welfare requirements