Atlantic salmon

Atlantic salmon farming in Chile is performing poorly. The high risk of escapes, the use of antibiotics and the potential spread of diseases and parasites result in an unfavourable assessment.

Farming in open cages causes moderate nutrient emissions. There is a high risk of escapes, with negative consequences for wild populations. Diseases and parasites can spread to wild populations, and antibiotics are still used to control diseases. There have also been reports of conflicts over land and water use and possible violations of labour rights.

Management is considered partially effective. Many Chilean salmon farms participate in improvement programmes (AIPs) and most companies have independent sustainability certification such as ASC, but given the ecological impact of this farming method, it is nevertheless not recommended by Good Fish.

Atlantic salmon farming is in good condition. Both organic cage farms in Europe and Norwegian RAS farms are largely sustainably managed, although the environmental impacts vary between farming systems.

In organic farming in open net pens, nutrient emissions are limited, but there is still a risk of salmon escapes and the spread of diseases and parasites. Chemicals are used sparingly and there are strict requirements for animal welfare, feed sourcing and working conditions. In RAS, the risk of escapes and pollution is lower, but these systems require a lot of energy. RAS is preferred due to its lower environmental impact.

Management of both farming systems is considered largely effective. Organic farms meet strict certification requirements and many companies also have additional sustainability certifications. Norwegian regulations for salmon farming are also considered strong.

Many organic salmon farms have, in addition to their organic certification, ASC certification or another independent sustainability certification.

Most salmon is produced in Norway, Chile and the United Kingdom. Farming takes place in open systems using cages in the sea. Since 2014, ASC-certified salmon has been available. ASC-certified salmon from recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) is also now available. ASC sets requirements not only for feed, antibiotic use, salmon lice control, materials (which must prevent escapes), and water and seabed quality (under the cages), but also for the distance between neighbouring farms and working conditions.

ASC is a reliable certification scheme that ensures a large and important part of the aquaculture sector takes steps towards greater sustainability. For example, ASC has helped enable significant progress in making feed more sustainable on a large scale. ASC does not specifically prohibit genetically modified fish feed, but if salmon are given genetically modified feed during farming, this must be stated on the packaging.

Despite strict regulations and improved farming conditions, ASC cannot yet eliminate all the negative impacts of salmon farming. For this reason, ASC-certified salmon is a responsible choice, but not yet a sustainable choice.

Fish in season

This assessment concerns a farmed fish that is available year-round.

In general, salmon require a lot of wild fish to grow. It is important that these are sourced from sustainable fish stocks. This is the case with organic fish. In organic farming, the percentage of wild feed in the feed is as low as possible. Also, no genetically modified products are used. In organic farming, there are extra criteria for welfare and the use of additives and medicines.
There are several organic ecolabels, all of them must fulfill the requirements set by the European standard for organic fish. This label can be recognized by the European organic sign.

Fish & Season: 

Farmed fish is year round available.

The status of salmon stocks in the Baltic Sea varies. Many river stocks are under pressure, but in the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland, several populations are showing signs of recovery due to low fishing pressure and limited utilisation of catch quotas.

In fisheries using fyke nets, bycatch of vulnerable (ETP) species, such as sea lampreys, birds, seals and occasionally sturgeon, is limited. Discards are low to moderate and many released fish survive, although many salmon are also lost due to seal damage. The fishery has little impact on the ecosystem and causes no significant damage to the seabed. CO₂ emissions are low and lost fishing gear poses a high risk.

In the Gulf of Bothnia and the rest of the Baltic Sea, the fishery is largely managed based on scientific advice, but there is no joint management plan and compliance with the rules could be improved. In the Gulf of Finland, additional national measures are in place, but due to the lack of a full stock assessment, the effectiveness of management remains uncertain.

The status of salmon stocks in the Baltic Sea varies. Many river stocks are under pressure, but in the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland, several populations are showing signs of recovery due to low fishing pressure and limited utilisation of catch quotas.

In fisheries using demersal longlines, bycatch of vulnerable (ETP) species is limited. Discards are moderate, but their extent is uncertain due to incomplete data. Eastern Baltic cod is also caught as bycatch; catches of juvenile salmon and other non-target species are low. The fishery causes no significant damage to the seabed, and there is insufficient information on the effects on the ecosystem.

Management is considered partially effective. ICES recommends management at the river-stock level, but the fishery is still largely managed at the level of one large stock and there is no European management plan. In addition, there is a lack of information on management in Russia, and it is still too early to assess the effects of the recent ban on targeted longline fishing.