Salmon hatcheries produce the juveniles that populate both wild enhancement programmes and aquaculture sites. Welfare in these early life stages profoundly affects subsequent health and behaviour.
Hatchery welfare is foundational to aquaculture welfare because compromised early life welfare has lasting effects on fish health and behaviour. Fish raised in overcrowded, stressful hatchery conditions arrive at sea cage stage with compromised immune function and altered stress responses. Investment in hatchery welfare - appropriate densities, good water quality, appropriate light management, and minimal stress during handling - pays dividends throughout the production cycle. For wild enhancement programmes, hatchery welfare also affects the survival and fitness of released fish.