Atlantic salmon
What to check for
Location
All areas
Production method
Open net pen, marine
Rating summary
Atlantic salmon is Chile are farmed in open net pens in the sea. Producing fish in open systems can cause environmental impacts such as: impacts of chemical and sea lice treatment usage; nutrient and organic waste deposition; outbreaks of disease; impacts on wild salmonids by transmission of sea lice, and escapes from farms. In Chile, the regulation and management of the aquaculture industry is poor in relation to other salmon producing countries. There is also a lack of evidence of welfare measures in place. Salmon are carnivorous fish and rely on wild capture fisheries to produce their feed, MCS would like to see all these fish certified as sustainably managed. Due to the ongoing nature of as yet unresolved environmental impacts of salmon farming MCS is advocating a halt in industry expansion using existing practices until these can be resolved.Rating last updated May 2023.
Technical consultation summary
Atlantic salmon is Chile are farmed in open net pens in the sea. Producing fish in open systems can cause environmental impacts such as: impacts of chemical and sea lice treatment usage; nutrient and organic waste deposition; outbreaks of disease; impacts on wild salmonids by transmission of sea lice, and escapes from farms. In Chile, the regulation and management of the aquaculture industry is poor in relation to other salmon producing countries. There is also a lack of evidence of welfare measures in place. Salmon are carnivorous fish and rely on wild capture fisheries to produce their feed, MCS would like to see all these fish certified as sustainably managed. Due to the ongoing nature of as yet unresolved environmental impacts of salmon farming MCS is advocating a halt in industry expansion using existing practices until these can be resolved.
