Welfare in sea cage production is determined by multiple interacting factors including stocking density, net integrity, water quality, and sea lice management. Integrated assessment is needed for meaningful welfare evaluation.
Sea cage salmon welfare is a complex, multi-dimensional challenge where no single indicator captures the full welfare picture. Integrated welfare assessment systems that combine water quality monitoring, sentinel fish observation, net integrity checks, and periodic physical inspection provide the most reliable welfare evaluation. This complexity requires specialist expertise and investment in monitoring infrastructure.