Environmental enrichment for farmed fish is an emerging area of welfare research. Simple modifications to fish farm environments may significantly improve welfare.
Aquaculture environmental enrichment represents a rapidly developing area where relatively modest investments may yield significant welfare improvements for billions of farmed fish. Wild fish experience complex, varied environments that provide sensory stimulation, hiding opportunities, and social structure. Intensive aquaculture tanks by contrast are typically barren, uniform, and crowded. Research demonstrates that simple modifications including structural complexity, appropriate lighting, substrate provision for benthic species, and current velocity management produce measurable welfare improvements. The commercial benefits of enrichment including reduced aggression and improved growth may provide industry incentives for adoption beyond pure welfare motivations.