Arctic char are a cold-adapted salmonid increasingly farmed in Scandinavia and Canada, and their specific physiological requirements create particular welfare challenges in aquaculture settings.
Arctic char welfare in aquaculture is closely tied to water temperature and quality management. These cold-adapted fish experience acute physiological stress at temperatures that would be well tolerated by other salmonids. RAS systems offer the advantage of precise temperature control year-round, which is beneficial for welfare, but the high stocking densities possible in RAS must be managed carefully to prevent the chronic crowding stress to which char are particularly susceptible. The species is less domesticated than Atlantic salmon or rainbow trout, meaning its stress responses in production environments may be more pronounced. Species-specific welfare standards for char are needed as production expands.