Aquatic Animal Welfare

Aquaculture Fallowing and Seabed Welfare

Sea cage aquaculture fallowing rests seabed sites between production cycles, allowing recovery of benthic communities and improving environmental welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Fallowing requires removing fish from sea cage sites for a defined rest period
Benthic communities under sea cages suffer from organic waste accumulation
Recovery of seabed biodiversity under fallow periods benefits the wider ecosystem
Regulatory requirements for fallowing vary by country and region
Coordinated area management ensures not all neighbouring sites fallow simultaneously

Welfare Considerations

Fallowing protects seabed communities and improves water quality for subsequent fish crops, indirectly benefiting farmed fish welfare through a healthier environment. Coordinated site management maximises ecological benefit while maintaining production continuity.

What You Can Do

Support certified salmon from farms with documented fallowing programmes
Advocate for mandatory fallowing periods in aquaculture licensing frameworks
Choose sustainably certified aquaculture products that meet environmental standards