Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Environmental Enrichment

Emerging research on whether and how environmental enrichment can improve welfare for farmed Atlantic salmon in sea cages.

Key Facts

Salmon in sea cages show stereotypic swimming in some conditions
Current evidence on structural enrichment for salmon is mixed
Current velocity and flow patterns affect salmon behavior and welfare
Light manipulation can influence schooling behavior and stress levels
Genetic variation in stress response influences individual welfare outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Environmental enrichment for farmed fish is a newer field than for land animals. While salmon have complex behavioral repertoires, evidence on what enrichment approaches improve welfare in commercial sea cages is still developing.

What You Can Do

Support research into salmon environmental enrichment
Advocate for science-based welfare standards in salmon farming
Choose salmon certified to standards that consider behavioral welfare