Atlantic halibut farming is growing as a premium product - what are the specific welfare challenges of this large, bottom-dwelling flatfish?
Halibut farming presents distinctive welfare challenges arising from their biology as large, long-lived flatfish. These bottom-dwellers require appropriate substrate and space to express natural resting behavior. High stocking densities create skin damage from contact with abrasive tank surfaces and between fish. Halibut are highly sensitive to handling, with stressed fish showing extended recovery periods. Their slow growth and long production cycles mean that welfare problems can accumulate over years rather than weeks. The premium pricing of farmed halibut provides economic capacity for higher welfare investment, but welfare standards in this sector remain underdeveloped.