Atlantic halibut is one of the most difficult species to farm successfully — with welfare challenges throughout the production cycle from hatchery to harvest.
Halibut welfare is complicated by the species' biology. As large, sensitive flatfish, halibut react strongly to handling and crowding — cortisol measurements in crowded halibut are among the highest recorded in farmed fish. Their size makes handling during grading and health inspections particularly stressful. Cannibalism is a significant problem in juvenile tanks, where size variation leads to larger individuals consuming smaller ones — both a direct welfare harm and an indicator of inappropriate stocking conditions. The long production cycle (3–5 years to market size) means welfare compromises accumulate over an extended period. Poor water quality management — oxygen depletion, temperature fluctuation — causes acute distress in a species highly sensitive to environmental parameters.