Atlantic halibut aquaculture is growing in Norway and Scotland but faces welfare challenges related to the species' specific depth and space requirements, high mortality rates at early life stages, and slaughter methods.
Halibut welfare in aquaculture is challenged by the mismatch between the species' natural benthic lifestyle and standard tank environments. Wild halibut live in deep, cold, dark water resting on the seabed. Shallow rearing tanks with limited floor area and bright lighting cause chronic stress. Aggressive interactions cause fin and skin damage. Early life stage mortality reflects inadequate larval rearing conditions. At slaughter, percussive stunning followed by gill cut and bleeding is the recommended approach, but practices vary across facilities. Welfare science is still developing for this relatively new farmed species.