New technologies including underwater cameras, automated welfare scoring, and recirculating systems offer opportunities to significantly improve fish welfare in aquaculture.
Technological innovation offers genuine opportunities to improve fish welfare in aquaculture at scale. Computer vision systems monitoring fish behaviour in real time can detect abnormal swimming patterns, crowding stress, and disease earlier than human observation alone. RAS facilities with controlled environments eliminate the welfare risks of extreme weather and wild predator encounter. These technologies are increasingly cost-competitive and offer welfare benefits alongside productivity improvements. Regulatory frameworks and welfare certification schemes should incorporate technology-based welfare monitoring requirements to drive adoption.