Turbot aquaculture in Europe faces specific welfare challenges related to their flatfish biology, stocking density, and sensitivity to water quality in intensive land-based systems.
Turbot welfare in recirculating aquaculture systems is challenged by their territorial nature and requirements for large floor area relative to body size. High stocking densities cause chronic stress from inability to establish territories, leading to fin biting and injury. The flat body of turbot means that oxygen and ammonia gradients within shallow tanks can create differential welfare conditions across the tank. Aggressive interactions are common in turbot, causing scale and fin damage that creates routes for secondary infection. Grading events required to manage size distribution cause handling stress and physical injury in these sensitive flatfish.