Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon RAS Land-Based Welfare Considerations

Welfare implications of recirculating aquaculture systems for salmon and how they compare to sea cage farming.

Key Facts

Recirculating aquaculture systems allow salmon farming independent of sea locations
RAS can offer improved biosecurity and disease control compared to sea cages
Water quality management is critical for welfare in RAS - oxygen, CO2, and ammonia
High capital costs mean RAS operators face intense production pressure
Welfare outcomes in RAS can exceed or fall below sea cage standards depending on management

Welfare Considerations

RAS systems have potential to deliver excellent salmon welfare but require meticulous water quality management and experienced operators to realise that potential.

What You Can Do

Support development of welfare standards specific to RAS salmon farming
Choose salmon from RAS systems with published welfare performance data
Advocate for welfare assessment requirements in RAS aquaculture licensing