Organic aquaculture certification for salmon promises higher welfare standards but significant gaps remain between certification requirements and on-farm welfare outcomes.
Organic salmon certification represents a genuine welfare advance in some dimensions - particularly lower stocking density - but welfare gaps persist. Slaughter method, sea lice burden, and cleaner fish welfare are not consistently addressed. Welfare-focused consumers should look beyond the organic label to farms demonstrating commitment across the full welfare spectrum, including pre-slaughter assessment and humane slaughter methods.