Wildlife Welfare

Wild Salmon River Habitat Restoration

Restoring river habitats for wild salmon improves welfare of individual fish through reduced migration barriers, better feeding conditions, and reduced disease risk.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon populations in UK rivers have declined by 70% since 1970
Migration barriers including weirs and culverts prevent salmon accessing spawning grounds
River restoration including fish passes, gravel restoration, and riparian planting benefits salmon
Disease transfer from fish farms to wild salmon is a documented welfare and conservation concern
Salmon require cold, well-oxygenated water; climate warming is reducing suitable habitat

Welfare Considerations

Wild salmon welfare depends on intact river systems that support the full lifecycle; habitat restoration addresses multiple welfare stressors simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Support river restoration and wild salmon conservation charities
Advocate for fishway installation at weirs and barriers in river management planning
Reduce personal water and land use impacts that affect river quality