Halibut Farming Welfare and Sustainability

Atlantic halibut is a premium farmed species facing both welfare and sustainability challenges. As farming expands, embedding welfare standards in industry practice is increasingly important.

Key Facts

Atlantic halibut is one of the slowest-growing farmed fish, taking 3-5 years to reach market size
They are benthic fish that rest on the seafloor in nature, requiring flat tank surfaces in farms
Cannibalism is a significant challenge during early rearing of halibut juveniles
Halibut have both eyes on one side of the head, an adaptation to a bottom-dwelling lifestyle
They can grow to over 300 kg in the wild but are typically harvested at 2-5 kg in farms
Norway and Iceland are the leading producers of farmed halibut globally

Welfare Considerations

Halibut welfare challenges include the difficulty of meeting their benthic requirements in tank systems, cannibalism during juvenile stages, and the stress of handling and transport over long production cycles. Their preference for lying flat means traditional circular tanks may not meet behavioral needs. Light exposure management is critical as halibut have unusual eye anatomy. Slaughter welfare requires appropriate stunning given their body shape. Given long production cycles, any welfare deficit is endured for extended periods. Welfare-conscious halibut farming invests in tank design that accommodates benthic behavior and minimizes handling stress.

What You Can Do

Choose halibut from certified sustainable and welfare-conscious sources
Support research into optimal tank design for benthic farmed fish species
Advocate for fish welfare regulations that include species-specific behavioral requirements
Ask retailers about welfare and environmental standards for halibut they source