Common Sole: Welfare in European Flatfish Aquaculture 2025

Key Welfare Facts

Common sole aquaculture in Belgium and the Netherlands uses indoor recirculating systems with temperature control.
Sole are cryptic flatfish requiring soft substrate for resting; barren tank floors cause chronic welfare compromise.
Territorial aggression causes bite injuries on tail and fin margins, especially in high-density systems.
Feed training is challenging; sole are naturally nocturnal predators that take time to accept formulated feeds.
Welfare research for sole specifically has increased significantly since 2020, providing better husbandry guidance.
Slaughter using chilling before gill-cutting is standard but electrical stunning is being trialled for welfare improvement.

Welfare Assessment

Common sole welfare has benefited from focused research and a welfare-conscious production community in Belgium and the Netherlands. Supporting certified sole production and advocating for substrate requirements and humane slaughter advances welfare in this niche sector.

What You Can Do

Choose certified Belgian or Dutch sole products from farms with documented welfare protocols
Support research into substrate provision requirements and humane slaughter for flatfish species
Advocate for mandatory substrate and density regulations in sole aquaculture licensing
Engage with retailers about welfare credentials for common sole in their supply chains