Wild Atlantic salmon face severe population declines from habitat degradation, climate change, and sea mortality, with significant welfare implications at each life stage.
Wild salmon welfare intersects with conservation at every point. Migration barriers cause exhaustion and injury as salmon attempt to pass obstacles. Water temperature stress impairs immune function and increases disease susceptibility. Catch-and-release angling - while less harmful than killing - still causes significant stress, and poorly executed releases can result in delayed mortality. River habitat restoration addressing water temperature, oxygen levels, gravel quality for spawning, and barrier removal benefits both individual welfare and population recovery. Climate change represents a growing background welfare threat for all coldwater fish species.