Rainbow trout are among the most important farmed fish in temperate regions. Trout welfare science is relatively advanced, providing a strong evidence base for management improvements.
Trout welfare is one of the best-studied areas of fish welfare science, partly because trout are extensively farmed in developed countries with strong research infrastructures. Evidence of trout pain sensitivity, fear conditioning, and stress physiology is robust and has underpinned regulatory changes in several countries. Key welfare challenges include aggressive interactions during feeding, transport stress, and slaughter. RSPCA Assured certification for trout includes requirements for water quality monitoring, stocking density limits, enrichment, and humane slaughter. Consumer choice of certified products signals market demand for welfare improvement and encourages industry adoption.