Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Environmental Welfare: Temperature and Oxygen

Water temperature and dissolved oxygen are primary environmental welfare determinants for farmed Atlantic salmon.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon experience chronic welfare compromise at temperatures above 18 degrees Celsius
Dissolved oxygen below 80% saturation impairs welfare and immune function in salmon
Summer warming events cause acute mortality from heat stress in sea cage salmon
Land-based RAS systems allow tighter environmental control but have high energy costs

Welfare Considerations

Temperature and oxygen management are foundational to salmon welfare. Climate change is pushing sea cage temperatures into salmon thermal comfort limits in summer. Land-based RAS systems offer environmental control at significant capital cost. Siting sea cages in cooler, deeper waters reduces temperature-related welfare emergencies.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture standards requiring temperature and oxygen monitoring with welfare thresholds
Advocate for climate adaptation planning in salmon farming regulatory frameworks
Choose salmon from farms demonstrating environmental monitoring and welfare response protocols