Aquatic Animals

Welfare of Farmed Salmon in Norway

Norway produces more than half the world farmed Atlantic salmon supply, making its welfare standards critically important for global aquaculture outcomes.

Key Facts

Norway produces approximately 1.5 million tonnes of farmed salmon annually
Sea lice are managed through a mix of chemical, biological, and mechanical treatments
Cleaner fish like wrasse and lumpfish are used to eat sea lice from salmon — with poor welfare outcomes of their own
Norway is trialing welfare indicators including mortality rates, lice counts, and gill health scores
Salmon slaughter in Norway increasingly uses percussion stunning, driven by welfare legislation

Welfare Considerations

Norwegian salmon aquaculture is among the most regulated in the world, yet significant welfare challenges persist. Sea lice infestations cause chronic pain and immune suppression. Cleaner fish used as biological lice control often die at high rates and have welfare needs that are rarely met. Mechanical delousing treatments cause significant physical trauma. Progress on slaughter stunning is real, but welfare improvements across the production cycle are needed.

What You Can Do

Choose ASC-certified Norwegian salmon where possible
Support Norwegian welfare reforms through consumer demand for higher-welfare products
Follow Aquatic Life Institute reporting on salmon welfare standards
Reduce farmed salmon consumption or choose alternatives with lower welfare impact