Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Environmental Welfare

Environmental conditions within salmon sea cages including light, current, and habitat complexity influence behavioral welfare in farmed fish.

Key Facts

Wild salmon experience diverse sensory environments that are poorly replicated in sea cages
Light levels in sea cages are manipulated to prevent premature maturation but may affect welfare
Current velocity affects swimming behavior and energy expenditure in caged salmon
Submersible cage systems allow deeper dives that may better replicate natural behavior
Novel cage designs incorporating habitat complexity show promising welfare benefits in research settings

Welfare Considerations

Salmon confined to simplified cage environments cannot express the full range of natural behaviors. Improvements to cage environmental complexity may provide meaningful welfare benefits as research advances.

What You Can Do

Support salmon aquaculture research into environmental enrichment and habitat complexity
Advocate for welfare standards that consider behavioral freedom as well as health outcomes
Choose salmon from farms investing in welfare research and environmental improvement