Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Welfare: Sea Cage Design and Welfare

Overview of sea cage design and management factors affecting farmed salmon welfare.

Key Facts

Sea cage net integrity affects salmon welfare through injury risk and escapee welfare
Current flow through cages affects oxygen levels and swimming behaviour
Stocking density within cages is a primary welfare determinant for salmon
Cage depth management affects light exposure and thermal welfare of salmon
Fouling management affects water quality and salmon welfare within cages

Welfare Considerations

Farmed salmon sea cage welfare encompasses net integrity, water quality, stocking density, and environmental management. Poorly maintained nets create injury risks and affect water circulation. Optimal stocking density management reduces crowding stress and injury. Depth management allows salmon to thermoregulate and avoid surface light stress. These management factors are within producer control and represent practical welfare improvement opportunities for the industry.

What You Can Do

Support salmon certification schemes with meaningful sea cage management welfare standards
Advocate for stocking density regulations for farmed salmon sea cage production
Choose salmon from certified operations with documented sea cage welfare management