Disease outbreaks in aquaculture facilities require rapid management decisions that often involve mass mortality events with significant welfare implications for millions of fish.
Disease outbreaks in aquaculture are welfare emergencies characterised by rapid onset of mass suffering and difficult decisions about depopulation timing and method. Fish experiencing viral or bacterial disease may suffer for days or weeks before mortality, and the economic pressure to delay depopulation until disease diagnosis is confirmed means individual animals endure prolonged welfare harm. Welfare-conscious outbreak management requires rapid detection, clear decision protocols for humane depopulation, and investment in prevention through vaccination and biosecurity. The scale of aquaculture disease events makes this a priority welfare issue that receives insufficient attention.