Mortality Rates

Industrial fish farming poses animal welfare concerns that can also further exacerbate environmental hazards. Fish are cognitively and emotionally complex, capable of experiencing pain, fear, and stress. Yet most farmed fish live in crowded, barren environments that increase the likelihood of injury, disease, and die-offs. 

Stressful pen conditions – including low oxygen, chemical exposure, predation, artificial lighting, crowding, and rough handling – trigger hormonal and immune system disruptions, making these fish more susceptible to disease and parasites. Wild populations near pens are at risk of contracting disease outbreaks, and chemical and pharmaceutical treatments employed to control illnesses further pollute surrounding waters and harm native marine life. 

Further, high mortality rates among farmed fish are a result of overcrowding, poor water quality, and chronic stress. Mass mortality events are increasing in frequency and scale, driven by a push for high yields through technological enhancements. Beyond the economic loss to farms, these events also further contribute to oxygen depletion, disease spread, and long-term habitat degradation. 

Prioritizing animal welfare is essential not only for ethical reasons but also to protect ecosystems and preserve marine biodiversity.