The aquatic environment in which salmon are farmed directly determines their welfare. Temperature, oxygen levels, and current management are foundational to maintaining good fish health and behaviour.
Farmed salmon experience environmental welfare challenges that wild salmon can avoid through movement. In sea cages, fish cannot escape poor conditions - they must endure thermal stress, low oxygen events, and lice proliferation. Environmental management is therefore a direct welfare responsibility. Investments in monitoring, aeration, shading, and lice treatment timing that respond to environmental conditions have immediate welfare benefits.