Aquaculture

Fish Disease Management and Welfare

Disease in farmed fish causes significant welfare compromise and mortality, with prevention through good husbandry being more effective than treatment.

Key Facts

Infectious pancreatic necrosis affects 30-50% of Atlantic salmon smolts in poorly managed farms
Bacterial gill disease is the most common disease in intensive rainbow trout production
Stress from crowding, handling, and poor water quality is the primary driver of fish susceptibility to disease
Vaccination programs for salmon have dramatically reduced antibiotic use since the 1980s

Welfare Considerations

Fish disease causes suffering through pain, metabolic disruption, and reduced ability to perform normal behaviors. Sick fish lose appetite, avoid conspecifics, and show aberrant swimming behavior. Disease prevention through good husbandry — optimal stocking density, water quality, and nutrition — prevents suffering more effectively than treatment while also improving productivity.

What You Can Do

Choose farmed fish from certified schemes with disease monitoring and welfare standards
Support research into fish-specific vaccines that reduce antibiotic dependence
Advocate for disease monitoring and reporting requirements in aquaculture regulation
Ask farmed fish retailers about their suppliers antibiotic use and disease management protocols