The hatchery phase of salmon farming subjects juvenile fish to handling, crowding, and vaccination stress that significantly affects their welfare and subsequent performance.
Hatchery welfare for salmon smolts sets the foundation for individual fish welfare across the entire production cycle. Stress events in the hatchery - vaccination procedures, grading, crowding - affect the physiological condition of fish at sea transfer and their subsequent resilience to disease. The welfare of hatchery fish depends on optimizing stocking densities, minimizing unnecessary handling events, using appropriate anesthesia for procedures, and ensuring water quality parameters are maintained within optimal ranges. Industry pressure to maximize production efficiency often conflicts with welfare-optimal stocking densities and handling frequencies.