Flatfish like halibut and turbot are increasingly farmed as premium seafood alternatives. Their unusual biology and behavioral needs create specific welfare challenges that emerging welfare standards are beginning to address.
Flatfish welfare science is at an early stage, but the biological distinctiveness of these species — their bottom-dwelling lifestyle, light sensitivity, and unusual metamorphosis — suggests that welfare standards developed for round fish cannot simply be transferred without adaptation. Farmed halibut and turbot kept in conditions that prevent resting on appropriate substrate, exposed to inappropriate light levels, or stressed by poor water quality are experiencing welfare harms specific to their biology. As flatfish aquaculture expands, developing species-specific welfare standards before the industry scales is the highest-impact opportunity for welfare advocates and researchers.