Advanced welfare research into Atlantic halibut aquaculture is addressing the species-specific challenges that make halibut one of the most demanding fish to farm with high welfare standards.
Halibut welfare research is advancing through increasing investment from Norwegian and Icelandic producers developing commercial halibut farming. The very long production cycle creates extended welfare consequences from early decisions about substrate provision, light management, and dietary formulation. Cataracts caused by histamine or riboflavin deficiency in feed represent a preventable welfare harm that simultaneously reduces production efficiency, creating aligned economic and welfare incentives for dietary improvement. Ambicoloration monitoring provides a practical welfare indicator that halibut producers can use without specialist equipment, connecting welfare assessment to routine production management. The species-specific nature of these welfare challenges means that knowledge transfer from other flatfish species has limited applicability.