Wildlife

Wild Salmon River Welfare

Wild Atlantic salmon populations are in severe decline, with welfare concerns arising from climate change, disease, and fisheries interactions.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon populations have declined by over 70% since the 1970s
High temperatures in rivers are increasingly causing mortality of returning adults
Sea lice from fish farms are believed to affect wild juvenile salmon welfare
Catch-and-release angling is standard practice for Atlantic salmon but has welfare implications
River restoration including barrier removal significantly improves salmon access to spawning habitat

Welfare Considerations

Wild salmon welfare is compromised by habitat degradation, disease, and warming rivers. Conservation-oriented river management including temperature refuges, barrier removal, and disease surveillance are essential welfare interventions.

What You Can Do

Support river restoration projects removing barriers to salmon migration
Advocate for river temperature management and shading programmes in salmon rivers
Engage with the debate about fish farm disease impacts on wild salmon
Practice careful catch-and-release techniques that minimise harm to wild salmon
Support organisations monitoring wild salmon population health and welfare