Arctic charr aquaculture is a growing sector particularly in Iceland and Scandinavia, with welfare requirements suited to cold, highly oxygenated water.
Arctic charr welfare benefits from their production primarily in RAS systems where environmental control is precise. Their specific requirements for cold, well-oxygenated water mean welfare and production are strongly aligned: compromised water quality affects both fish welfare and growth simultaneously. Individual variation in charr is high, making group welfare management challenging when dominant individuals monopolise feeding stations. Research into charr-specific welfare requirements has advanced alongside the growing industry, with welfare standards increasingly incorporated into premium market certification.