Aquaculture Welfare

Salmon Feed Withdrawal and Pre-Harvest Welfare

Feed withdrawal before harvest in salmon farming causes hunger stress and affects the welfare of fish in their final days.

Key Facts

Feed withdrawal of 1-7 days is standard practice to clear gut contents before slaughter
Salmon show increased aggression and stress behaviours during feed withdrawal
Longer withdrawal periods are associated with greater welfare compromise
Scientific guidance suggests minimising withdrawal duration reduces welfare impact
Gut clearance can be achieved in shorter periods than industry standard in many circumstances

Welfare Considerations

Feed withdrawal causes documented hunger and increased stress in salmon. While some clearance is necessary, minimising withdrawal duration reduces unnecessary suffering. The welfare case for shorter, evidence-based withdrawal periods is strong.

What You Can Do

Support standards requiring evidence-based minimum feed withdrawal periods for salmon
Advocate for ongoing research into optimal feed withdrawal duration and welfare outcomes
Ask salmon producers about their feed withdrawal protocols and the evidence behind them