Aquaculture Welfare

Farmed Salmon Pre-Harvest Crowding Standard

Pre-harvest crowding standards for salmon are becoming industry practice - evidence-based protocols minimise duration and intensity of welfare compromise.

Key Facts

Crowding duration is as important as density in determining welfare impact
A 30-minute crowding limit before stunning is achievable in modern harvest operations
Continuous water aeration during crowding maintains oxygen levels and reduces stress
Pre-harvest feed withdrawal combined with crowding compounds physiological stress
Written pre-harvest welfare protocols are required by RSPCA Assured certification

Welfare Considerations

Pre-harvest crowding is unavoidable in net cage salmon farming, but duration and intensity can be managed through evidence-based protocols. Each minute of crowding time reduced represents welfare benefit for the fish involved.

What You Can Do

Support RSPCA Assured and Norwegian salmon welfare certifications with crowding standards
Advocate for mandatory written pre-harvest welfare protocols in salmon farming regulation
Choose salmon from certified farms with documented pre-harvest welfare practices