Commercial salmon farming is one of the most technologically advanced and capital-intensive segments of global aquaculture. Production is dominated by Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), with farming operations spanning freshwater hatcheries and smolt facilities through to marine grow-out systems in coastal and offshore environments.

Salmon production systems range from traditional open-net pens to more controlled semi-closed and land-based recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Each approach presents distinct trade-offs in terms of capital cost, biological risk, environmental exposure, regulatory complexity, and operational control. Selecting the appropriate production model is therefore a critical determinant of long-term performance and commercial viability.

Successful salmon farming depends on precise control of biological and environmental variables across the full production cycle. Key parameters include water temperature, dissolved oxygen, current velocity, stocking density, and feed conversion efficiency. Disease pressure, parasite management (including sea lice), and biosecurity protocols play a central role in determining survival rates, growth performance, and regulatory compliance.

As production intensity increases, so too does operational complexity. Higher stocking densities and accelerated growth targets place greater demands on feed quality, monitoring systems, labour, and infrastructure. While intensification can improve yields, it also increases biological risk and cost exposure, making careful system design and management essential to maintaining profitability.

AquaSol supports salmon farming projects across feasibility assessment, system selection, farm design, operational optimisation, and performance improvement.

Our advice is grounded in real-world salmon farming economics and focuses on aligning biological performance, operational resilience, regulatory requirements, and financial outcomes to deliver sustainable, commercially successful salmon operations.