Rainbow trout are one of the most important farmed fish in the UK, and welfare challenges in trout production are increasingly well understood and addressable.
Rainbow trout in well-managed systems with appropriate stocking density, water quality, and stimulation can have acceptable welfare. The challenges arise when production pressure leads to overcrowding, poor water quality, or inadequate management. Pre-slaughter stunning is now available and increasingly adopted in UK trout farming, representing a significant welfare improvement over live slaughter. Welfare auditing and certification are driving continued improvement in the sector.