Aquaculture

Aquaculture Genetic Selection Welfare Implications

Genetic selection in aquaculture breeding programmes affects welfare when selection prioritises production traits over health and behaviour.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon breeding has dramatically improved growth rates over decades
Fast-growing strains may have increased prevalence of skeletal deformities and organ problems
Selection for disease resistance can improve welfare by reducing infection susceptibility
Balancing production and welfare traits in breeding objectives is an active research area

Welfare Considerations

Genetic selection for production traits without welfare consideration can inadvertently compromise fish health and wellbeing. Including welfare-relevant traits in breeding objectives - such as deformity rates and disease resistance - can improve both production and welfare simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture breeding programmes incorporating welfare trait selection
Advocate for welfare indicators in aquaculture genetic selection standards
Choose salmon from producers transparent about their genetic selection objectives