Focus on the Solution
ES1 - Fish Welfare
SalMar is committed to protecting fish health and welfare while minimizing the risk of antimicrobial resistance. The company maintains a zero-vision for antibiotic use and ensures that any administration of antibiotics occurs only under exceptional circumstances, based on veterinary recommendation and regulatory compliance.
This policy applies to all SalMar farming operations and covers the entire salmon lifecycle, from smolt production to harvest. It also applies to all employees and contracted veterinarians involved in fish health management.
The Board of Directors holds ultimate responsibility for this policy. The Senior Management must approve any antibiotic use. Fish health managers and veterinarians monitor compliance at site level and ensure treatments follow strict protocols.
The Senior Management approves all antibiotic treatments. Veterinarians recommend treatment only when necessary and ensure correct dosage and administration. Fish health managers monitor welfare and report antibiotic use. Employees follow biosecurity and PPE protocols during treatment.
Antibiotic use is monitored continuously at site level and reported annually in SalMar’s sustainability disclosures in the company’s annual report. All incidents are documented in the company’s quality system, including dosage, timeframe, and precautionary measures.
SalMar’s strategy focuses on maintaining zero routine use of antibiotics, implementing vaccination programs to prevent bacterial diseases, and strengthening biosecurity and fish welfare monitoring.
The following sections outline the Group’s most material impacts, risks and opportunities, along with strategic targets established.
Utilizing vaccines and committing to zero antibiotics
The use of advanced vaccines prior to sea transfer is a key positive impact for fish health, significantly reducing disease risk during the marine phase. SalMar’s long‑standing commitment to zero antibiotic use further supports responsible aquaculture practices and contributes to limiting antimicrobial resistance.
Reputational damage
Despite SalMar’s zero‑antibiotics approach, misconceptions about antibiotic use remain a reputational risk due to historic practices in the global aquaculture sector. Potential regulatory changes related to antimicrobial resistance could also increase compliance demands for the industry.
New technology | New fish welfare breakthroughs in research
Continuous development of vaccines, including against pancreas disease and winter wounds, together with improved biosecurity measures and enhanced fish‑health monitoring technologies, offers opportunities to further strengthen fish welfare and reduce disease challenges. These innovations help maintain SalMar’s antibiotic‑free production and support industry leadership in responsible fish health management.
SalMar aims to maintain zero routine use of antibiotics across all operations. All treatments must be approved by the senior management and based on veterinary recommendation. The company aims to monitor vaccination programs to cover emerging bacterial threats and continue to report antibiotic use transparently.
Antibiotics are only administered as a last resort when fish welfare is at risk, and no other treatment or preventive measures are sufficient. All treatments require veterinary prescription and prior approval from the Senior Management. Administration follows strict protocols for dosage, withdrawal periods, and biosecurity procedures. Antibacterial resistance testing is conducted before treatment to ensure effectiveness and minimize resistance risk. SalMar prioritizes preventive measures such as vaccination programs, robust biosecurity, and continuous fish health monitoring to reduce the need for antibiotics.