What are the affects on wild salmon when farmed escape?

The escape of farmed salmon into the wild can have a range of negative effects on wild salmon populations. These effects can be direct, such as competition for resources and increased risk of disease transmission, or indirect, such as changes in the genetic makeup of wild salmon populations.

Direct effects of farmed salmon escape:

* Competition for food and habitat: Farmed salmon that escape into the wild can compete with wild salmon for food and habitat, such as spawning grounds. This competition can reduce the growth and survival of wild salmon, and may lead to population declines.

* Disease transmission: Farmed salmon can carry diseases and parasites that can be transmitted to wild salmon, such as sea lice and bacterial infections. These diseases can cause illness and mortality in wild salmon, and can contribute to population declines.

* Predation: Farmed salmon that escape into the wild can become predators of juvenile wild salmon. This can reduce the survival of wild salmon and contribute to population declines.

Indirect effects of farmed salmon escape:

* Genetic introgression: Farmed salmon that escape into the wild can mate with wild salmon, resulting in hybridization. This can introduce genes from farmed salmon into wild salmon populations, which can change the genetic makeup of the wild salmon and reduce their fitness.

* Ecological disruption: The introduction of farmed salmon into the wild can disrupt the natural ecosystem, such as by changing the food web or altering the behavior of wild salmon. This can have negative consequences for the entire ecosystem, including wild salmon populations.

The escape of farmed salmon into the wild is a serious threat to wild salmon populations. It is important to take steps to prevent escapes, such as improving containment measures and regulating the aquaculture industry.