Aquaculture welfare science is advancing rapidly but significant gaps remain. Understanding the research frontier helps advocates and producers focus on the highest priority welfare improvements.
Aquaculture welfare science is at an earlier stage of development than terrestrial farm animal welfare research, but is advancing rapidly. The most studied species is Atlantic salmon, for which validated welfare indicators, stocking density guidelines, and slaughter welfare standards now exist. Welfare knowledge for other major farmed species — rainbow trout, tilapia, carp, shrimp — is less developed. Key research priorities identified by welfare scientists include developing non-invasive welfare indicators, establishing welfare-based stocking density limits, improving pre-slaughter stunning methods, and understanding the welfare impacts of disease treatment procedures. Directing research funding toward species farmed in the greatest numbers and with the least welfare knowledge will generate the largest welfare gains.