Farmed Salmon Hatchery Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

The early life stage of farmed salmon in freshwater hatcheries sets the welfare foundation for the entire production cycle.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon spend their first year or more in freshwater hatcheries before sea transfer
Hatchery conditions including crowding, water quality and light cycles affect subsequent welfare outcomes
Early life stress can have lasting epigenetic effects on stress responsiveness in adult fish
Vaccination at smolt stage is performed without anaesthesia in many operations
The smoltification process involves physiological transition to seawater tolerance
Transfer timing relative to smoltification stage significantly affects post-transfer welfare and survival
Hatchery management quality varies enormously and affects disease susceptibility throughout the production cycle

Welfare Considerations

Hatchery welfare is the foundation of salmon welfare throughout their farmed lives. Poor hatchery conditions that increase stress responsiveness create animals that are more vulnerable to welfare challenges throughout the production cycle. Investment in hatchery welfare - including water quality, appropriate density, and anaesthesia during vaccination - pays dividends in reduced disease and better welfare outcomes in sea cages.

What You Can Do

Ask salmon suppliers about hatchery welfare standards and vaccination protocols
Support RSPCA Assured salmon which includes hatchery welfare standards
Advocate for hatchery welfare requirements in salmon aquaculture certification schemes
Reduce farmed salmon consumption overall and prioritise welfare-certified sources