Aquaculture

Welfare of Commercially Farmed Halibut

Atlantic halibut farming is expanding in northern Europe; their welfare as flatfish with unique behavioral adaptations requires specialized management.

Key Facts

Halibut are the largest flatfish, growing up to 3 meters and 300 kilograms
They are sensitive to handling stress and require careful farm management
Juvenile halibut welfare is affected by cannibalism in inadequately sized groups
Slaughter methods for halibut vary from ikejime (humane) to CO2 asphyxiation (stressful)
Halibut aquaculture has grown rapidly as wild populations have collapsed from overfishing

Welfare Considerations

Farmed halibut welfare depends on managing their sensitivity to handling and light, providing appropriate substrate for their benthic resting behavior, and using humane slaughter methods. The industry is developing welfare protocols as production scales up.

What You Can Do

Support halibut welfare standard development in northern European aquaculture
Advocate for ikejime or pre-stunning slaughter requirements for farmed halibut
Choose halibut products from certified welfare operations
Reduce consumption of wild-caught halibut whose populations are severely depleted