Record high monthly survival for Scottish salmon
First-quarter survival was also the best yet
Monthly survival rates of farmed salmon in Scotland have reached record highs, reflecting sustained improvements in fish health and farm management, trade body Salmon Scotland announced today.
New figures show survival reached 99.1% in March, the best performance for that month since reporting began in 2018 and an improvement on the previous record in March 2025 when survival for that month was 98.98%.
The survival figures for the month are for the 136 of Scotland's 209 active fish farms that contained stock at some point during March.
Monthly survival across the first quarter of the year also reached a record high, averaging 99.03% between January and March, the strongest start to a year. The record start to 2026 follows a strong 2025, when monthly survival averaged around 98.3% across the year.
Average monthly survival rates on Scottish salmon farms in March:
| 2026 | 99.10% |
| 2025 | 98.98% |
| 2024 | 98.73% |
| 2023 | 98.68% |
| 2022 | 98.72% |
| 2021 | 98.86% |
| 2020 | 98.87% |
| 2019 | 99.05% |
| 2018 | 98.51% |
Average monthly survival rates on Scottish salmon farms in January – March:
| 2026 | 99.03% |
| 2025 | 99.02% |
| 2024 | 98.62% |
| 2023 | 98.65% |
| 2022 | 98.65% |
| 2021 | 98.87% |
| 2020 | 98.89% |
| 2019 | 98.95% |
| 2018 | 98.74% |
Since 2018, salmon farmers have invested more than £1 billion in innovation across veterinary care, stock management, and technology such as freshwater baths on wellboats to remove lice and enhance gill health, helping to improve survival rates and strengthen resilience.
Natural challenges also tend to be less intense in Q1 than later in the year when the sea is warmer, enabling lice to reproduce more quickly and providing a more conducive environment for algal blooms to occur. Some producers now focus on harvesting around two thirds of their fish in the first half of the year to reduce the impact of these issues and have invested heavily in wellboat treatment capacity to tackle biological issues.
Salmon Scotland said higher survival rates mean more high-protein, low-carbon meals are reaching consumers, boosting food security, and fuelling economic growth through rising demand at home and abroad.
Top food export
Scottish salmon is the UK’s top food export and remains the country’s most popular fish, with international sales reaching £828 million in 2025 and domestic sales of Scottish and imported salmon worth £1.5 billion.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said: “These figures are a testament to our members’ hard work and commitment to fish health and welfare, and to responsible farming.
“Scottish salmon farmers uphold the highest animal welfare standards in the world, but they are always striving to do better.
“Record survival rates are encouraging and reflect the dedication of farmers across Scotland’s coastal communities. They also show the impact of sustained investment in fish health, technology, and farm management. This progress helps ensure Scottish salmon remains one of the country’s great food success stories.”
