How selective breeding for production traits affects Atlantic salmon welfare.
Salmon genetics and welfare interplay is an increasingly recognized issue as the production consequences of aggressive growth selection have become apparent. The same genetics that produce large, fast-growing fish also create animals with cardiovascular vulnerability, reduced disease resistance, and metabolic demands that are difficult to meet in production environments. This parallels the broiler chicken situation where extreme growth selection created welfare-incompatible phenotypes. Redirecting some genetic selection toward welfare-relevant traits including disease resistance and cardiac health, alongside production performance, is a welfare-positive approach with growing industry support in leading producing nations.