Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Environmental Enrichment Research

Salmon welfare research is exploring whether environmental enrichment in sea cages can improve behavioural opportunities and welfare outcomes.

Key Facts

Wild salmon occupy complex, structured river and ocean habitats
Sea cages are relatively featureless environments compared to natural habitat
Submerged light sources attract zooplankton and alter salmon behaviour
Current density reductions are the main environmental improvement in practice
Research into enrichment for salmonids is at an early stage globally

Welfare Considerations

Salmon are sentient fish with complex behavioural repertoires shaped by life in structured aquatic environments. Featureless sea cages may impoverish their lives significantly. While enrichment research is early-stage, the direction of travel - toward more complex environments - is positive for welfare.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture welfare research organisations
Choose ASC-certified salmon that invests in welfare research and improvement
Advocate for welfare science investment in the aquaculture industry