Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Vaccination and Welfare

Vaccination of Atlantic salmon has transformed disease control, reducing antibiotic use and the welfare harm caused by infectious disease.

Key Facts

Furunculosis vaccination in the 1990s dramatically reduced antibiotic use in Norwegian salmon farming
Multi-component vaccines now protect against multiple bacterial pathogens
Vaccination requires injection of smolts - a stressful procedure requiring anaesthesia
Well-vaccinated fish have stronger immune responses and fewer disease outbreaks
Vaccination programme design involves balancing procedural welfare cost against long-term disease protection

Welfare Considerations

Salmon vaccination causes acute stress from the injection procedure but provides lasting protection against diseases that cause severe chronic suffering. The welfare balance strongly favours vaccination when conducted with appropriate anaesthesia and recovery management. Vaccination programmes are among the most impactful welfare interventions in salmon farming.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture certification requiring vaccination programme welfare standards
Advocate for anaesthesia requirements during salmon smolt vaccination
Choose certified salmon from producers with transparent disease management records