Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Hatchery: Deformity Prevention and Welfare

Spinal and jaw deformities in hatchery-reared salmon are a significant welfare problem with preventable causes.

Key Facts

Deformity rates above 10% are common in poorly managed salmon hatcheries
Hypervitaminosis C (excess vitamin C) is a known cause of jaw deformities
Water temperature, oxygen levels, and density during first feeding affect deformity rates
Deformed fish have reduced feeding ability and suffer chronic welfare compromise

Welfare Considerations

Spinal and jaw deformities cause chronic pain and feeding difficulty throughout a fish's life. Hatchery conditions are the primary determinant of deformity rates, and evidence-based protocols can dramatically reduce their incidence.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture standards that include hatchery deformity monitoring requirements
Advocate for mandatory reporting of deformity rates in certified salmon farms
Choose salmon products from farms with transparent welfare and deformity reporting