Aquaculture

Salmon Welfare: Industry Progress and Gaps in 2026

Review of farmed salmon welfare in 2026, including lice management, slaughter, and certification.

Key Facts

Sea lice resistance to treatment chemicals remains a significant threat
Electrical stunning at harvest increasingly adopted in Norway
Cleaner fish welfare under growing scrutiny
Crowding stress protocols improving in leading producers
Welfare certification schemes expanding but coverage remains partial

Welfare Considerations

Farmed salmon welfare has seen meaningful advances in Norway and Scotland in 2026, particularly around slaughter humaneness and lice management. However, cleaner fish welfare, crowding stress, and the welfare of fish during routine husbandry procedures remain major gaps requiring urgent attention from industry and regulators.

What You Can Do

Choose certified higher-welfare salmon when available
Support organisations advancing fish welfare science and policy
Advocate for mandatory pre-slaughter stunning for farmed fish