Farm Animal Welfare

Farmed Salmon Anaesthesia Welfare

Anaesthesia in farmed salmon is used for handling and treatment procedures; appropriate protocols reduce stress and improve fish welfare during management.

Key Facts

MS-222 (tricaine methanesulphonate) and AQUI-S are commonly used salmon anaesthetics
Anaesthesia reduces handling stress, injury, and post-procedure recovery time
Over-dosing and under-dosing both pose welfare risks; calibrated protocols are essential
Regulatory requirements for anaesthesia use vary between producing countries
Research into non-pharmacological low-stress handling alternatives is ongoing

Welfare Considerations

Anaesthesia during salmon handling represents a meaningful welfare improvement; its routine use for vaccinations, grading, and treatment reduces cumulative handling stress in fish.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture welfare standards that include anaesthesia requirements for handling
Advocate for international harmonisation of fish anaesthesia welfare standards
Choose salmon products from certified welfare-focused producers