Atlantic halibut is one of the most challenging species to farm commercially due to its slow growth and demanding welfare needs. Cannibalism, stocking density, and slaughter methods are key welfare issues in this emerging aquaculture sector.
Atlantic halibut aquaculture presents welfare challenges that differ from salmonid farming due to the species' benthic lifestyle and extremely slow growth. Flatfish require floor space rather than water column volume — a dimension often overlooked in density calculations adapted from round fish. Cannibalism causes injury and death to smaller individuals during the vulnerable juvenile phase. Stress during the frequent grading events required by slow and variable growth rates creates chronic handling-related welfare impact across the long production cycle. The small scale of current halibut production offers an opportunity to establish strong welfare standards before the industry scales — an opportunity that should not be missed.