Atlantic halibut is one of the most demanding farmed fish species — slow-growing, expensive to produce and welfare-sensitive. Premium halibut aquaculture requires high standards to meet both welfare and market expectations.
Atlantic halibut welfare in aquaculture is affected by the species' specific biological requirements. As a cold-water bottom-dwelling species, halibut are stressed by water temperatures above 16C — summer warming at Norwegian shore sites creates welfare challenges. The species shows strong stress responses to handling and transport. Broodstock welfare in captivity is particularly challenging — maintaining large sexually mature adults in tank systems requires space allowances that many commercial facilities cannot provide. The premium market for halibut provides economic incentive for higher welfare production — operators who achieve welfare-positive outcomes produce fish with better flesh quality and lower stress-related mortality.