Rainbow trout are among the most widely farmed fish globally, and their welfare has received increasing scientific attention as evidence for fish sentience has grown.
Rainbow trout welfare sits at the intersection of established fish sentience science and commercial aquaculture practice. The evidence that trout are capable of nociceptive and potentially conscious pain responses is stronger than for many other farmed fish. Current farming practices in many operations do not meet welfare standards appropriate to this evidence: high stocking densities, temperature extremes, and slaughter by live chilling are prevalent. Welfare standards for trout are developing but adoption is uneven. Consumer demand for certified trout products with verified welfare standards is the primary market driver for improvement.