Atlantic halibut is one of the fastest-growing premium aquaculture species, with specific welfare challenges from its flatfish biology and high-value but small-scale production systems.
Atlantic halibut welfare presents species-specific challenges from their flatfish biology. Tank systems designed for round fish provide inadequate resting surfaces for flatfish that spend much of their time on the substrate. Juvenile cannibalism causes welfare harm and significant production losses, requiring careful size grading and stocking management. The small scale of halibut production has limited welfare research investment compared to salmon, leaving knowledge gaps in optimal husbandry. As production scales, establishing evidence-based welfare standards before practices become entrenched is the highest-leverage welfare intervention.