Wildlife Welfare

Salmon Atlantic Migration Challenges

Wild Atlantic salmon face multiple welfare challenges during oceanic migration and river ascent, with climate change and human infrastructure adding to natural stressors.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon cease feeding during river ascent relying entirely on stored energy reserves
Sea surface temperature increases are reducing marine survival rates
River barriers including weirs require fish passes for salmon to reach spawning grounds
Otters, herons, and cormorants prey on exhausted salmon in holding pools
Spawning itself causes such physical deterioration that most Atlantic salmon die after spawning

Welfare Considerations

Atlantic salmon face extreme physiological challenge during spawning migration that causes progressive deterioration and eventual death. Human-caused barriers and climate impacts compound these natural stressors, making river restoration and climate action important welfare interventions.

What You Can Do

Support Atlantic salmon river restoration including fish pass installation
Reduce your carbon footprint to mitigate sea temperature increases affecting salmon survival
Choose sustainably certified seafood to protect wild salmon populations