Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Genetics Welfare Future

Genetic selection in farmed salmon is increasingly incorporating welfare traits that offer long-term sustainable improvements in fish health and behavior.

Key Facts

Genomic selection allows rapid integration of welfare-relevant traits into salmon breeding programs
Disease resistance QTLs have been identified for ISA, PD, and sea lice susceptibility
Faster-growing salmon reach harvest size with less cumulative exposure to production stressors
Selection for calm temperament and reduced stress reactivity shows promise in research settings
Welfare-focused genetics must balance production performance with behavioral and health outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Genetic improvements in disease resistance and stress reactivity offer permanent welfare benefits that apply to every fish in future production. This complements but cannot replace good husbandry and environmental management.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture research programs developing welfare-focused salmon breeding indices
Advocate for welfare trait transparency in salmon breeding company selection index reporting
Choose salmon from farms using certified genetics programs with welfare trait inclusion