Atlantic halibut aquaculture faces unique welfare challenges arising from the complex biology of a large, slow-growing flatfish species.
Atlantic halibut aquaculture illustrates how species-specific biology creates welfare challenges that generic aquaculture standards cannot address. The long grow-out period means any welfare failures accumulate over years rather than months. The high rate of abnormal pigmentation — mottled rather than uniformly dark dorsal surfaces — reflects developmental disruption from suboptimal conditions and is correlated with other health problems. Tank design for flatfish requires consideration of substrate and depth that allows natural lying behavior. Cannibalism in early life stages reflects both nutritional inadequacy and behavioral needs that standard hatchery conditions fail to meet. The slow growth and high capital investment in halibut aquaculture creates commercial pressure that may compete with welfare improvement investment.