Freshwater Fish Welfare in Aquaculture: Species Diversity

Freshwater aquaculture encompasses a vast diversity of species with specific welfare needs that generic standards cannot adequately address.

Key Facts

Freshwater aquaculture produces over 50 million tonnes annually covering hundreds of species
Species range from social schooling fish to territorial predators requiring very different husbandry
Carp, tilapia, catfish, trout and salmon each have distinct behavioural and physiological welfare needs
Welfare research is concentrated on commercially important salmon and trout with limited coverage of other species
China produces approximately 70% of global freshwater aquaculture with variable welfare standards

Welfare Considerations

Freshwater aquaculture welfare is challenged by the enormous species diversity and the concentration of welfare research on a small subset of high-value species. Standards developed for salmon and trout may be inappropriate or insufficient for catfish, carp or tilapia. The global scale of production in countries with limited welfare regulation means the majority of freshwater farmed fish experience conditions with minimal welfare consideration. Prioritising welfare research for the highest-volume species and developing accessible, low-cost welfare improvements for smallholder farmers in major producing countries would benefit the most individuals.

What You Can Do

Advocate for species-specific welfare standards in freshwater aquaculture certification
Support research into welfare needs of major freshwater farmed species beyond salmon and trout
Choose freshwater farmed fish from the most rigorously certified sources available
Engage with international development organisations about incorporating fish welfare in aquaculture development programmes