Atlantic and Pacific halibut farming faces specific welfare challenges related to this flatfish species including eye migration, bottom-dwelling behavior and cannibalism management.
Farmed halibut welfare presents species-specific challenges that require management systems designed for benthic flatfish rather than adapted from salmon production templates. The bottom-resting behavior of halibut means that tank design must provide adequate bottom area rather than optimizing water volume. Juvenile cannibalism creates welfare problems of predation stress and injury alongside commercial losses. The long production cycle creates extended periods of welfare exposure to any management deficiencies. Species-specific welfare research and the development of halibut-appropriate assessment tools and standards are needed to address these gaps. Pre-slaughter welfare including validated stunning methods for flatfish species also requires development.