Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Climate Adaptation: Genetic and Management Solutions

Salmon farming faces significant climate adaptation challenges as sea temperatures exceed optimal ranges more frequently.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon thermal optimum is 12-14 degrees Celsius - above 18 degrees causes welfare compromise
Norwegian fjord temperatures exceeded salmon comfort limits for weeks in recent summers
Deep water intake systems and site relocation to cooler water are physical adaptation strategies
Genetic selection for heat tolerance is being explored but remains in early stages

Welfare Considerations

Salmon experiencing chronic heat stress during warm summers suffer from reduced immunity, increased disease susceptibility, and direct thermal welfare compromise. Climate adaptation through site selection, physical mitigation, and genetic selection reduces these welfare costs that will otherwise increase with climate change.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture climate adaptation research including heat-tolerant genetics
Advocate for salmon farm siting criteria that consider future temperature projections
Choose salmon from farms demonstrating climate adaptation management strategies