Recovery periods following stressful aquaculture procedures are critical for fish welfare, with proper recovery conditions determining whether fish return to normal physiological function.
Recovery welfare in aquaculture is often overlooked in favor of procedure efficiency. However, fish that do not adequately recover from stressful procedures show reduced growth, increased disease susceptibility, and higher mortality. Investing in proper recovery conditions and monitoring is both a welfare priority and a practical production consideration for responsible aquaculture operations.