Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Gut Health Microbiome

The importance of gut microbiome health for salmon welfare and how diet and environment affect microbiome composition.

Key Facts

Salmon gut microbiome composition affects immune function, disease resistance, and welfare
Dietary plant protein substitution alters gut microbiome with potential welfare implications
Probiotics and prebiotics can promote beneficial microbiome composition in farmed salmon
Antibiotic use causes gut dysbiosis that persists after treatment ceases
Stress responses alter gut microbiome composition, creating a feedback between welfare and health

Welfare Considerations

Gut health is a welfare determinant as well as a production parameter. Salmon with compromised gut microbiomes have impaired immunity and are more vulnerable to disease. Nutritional strategies that support gut health deliver concurrent welfare and production benefits.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture standards that require gut health monitoring as a welfare indicator
Advocate for research into nutrition-based approaches to salmon gut health
Choose salmon from farms investing in gut health management programs