Wildlife Welfare

Wild Salmon Pacific Sockeye Welfare

Pacific sockeye salmon face multiple welfare challenges from oceanic conditions to river migration, with climate change and dams compounding existing natural stressors.

Key Facts

Sockeye salmon migrate thousands of kilometres from ocean to natal rivers to spawn
Sea surface temperature increases are reducing food availability in Pacific feeding grounds
Dam passages cause significant physiological stress and injury during migration
Sockeye undergo dramatic physical transformation during the spawning migration
Historic runs of 100 million fish have declined to fewer than 1 million in some systems

Welfare Considerations

Pacific sockeye experience the profound welfare challenge of extreme physiological transformation during spawning migration, compounded by human-caused barriers and habitat degradation. Restoring migratory connectivity and reducing thermal stress through climate action are essential welfare interventions.

What You Can Do

Support Pacific salmon river restoration and dam removal projects
Reduce your carbon footprint to mitigate ocean temperature increases affecting salmon
Choose sustainably certified Pacific salmon from fisheries with low impact on wild stocks