Wildlife Welfare

Wild Salmon Welfare and Habitat Degradation

Wild Atlantic and Pacific salmon face severe welfare threats from habitat loss, pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Improving river habitats and reducing barriers to migration benefits salmon populations and welfare.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon populations have declined by over 70% since the 1970s
Dams, weirs, and culverts block salmon migration to spawning grounds
River acidification from pollution damages gill function
Elevated water temperatures stress salmon and promote disease
Sea lice from fish farms can devastate wild salmon smolt populations

Welfare Considerations

Wild salmon experience significant suffering from habitat degradation, disease, and migration barriers. Each fish faces repeated physiological stresses during migrations through polluted, warm, or obstacle-filled rivers. Conservation actions that improve river quality have direct welfare benefits.

What You Can Do

Support river restoration and dam removal projects
Advocate for stronger pollution controls to protect salmon rivers
Choose sustainably certified wild-caught salmon where available