Marine and Wildlife Welfare

Wild Atlantic Salmon Welfare and Migration

Atlantic salmon face severe welfare challenges from barriers to migration, sea lice pressure and climate-driven environmental change.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon populations have declined by over 75% in some UK rivers since the 1970s
River barriers including weirs and dams prevent access to spawning grounds causing reproductive failure
Sea lice from fish farms infect wild smolts with mortality consequences
Rising river temperatures from climate change exceed salmon thermal tolerance in summer
Salmon river restoration including barrier removal has reversed declines on some rivers

Welfare Considerations

Wild Atlantic salmon welfare involves both direct suffering from parasites and barriers, and population-level welfare from catastrophic declines. Addressing migration barriers, reducing sea lice pressure near farms and addressing climate drivers are the priority interventions.

What You Can Do

Support wild salmon conservation organisations including the Atlantic Salmon Trust
Advocate for weir removal and fish pass installation on salmon rivers
Engage with sea lice management discussions connecting fish farm welfare and wild salmon welfare