Developing validated pain assessment tools for fish is essential for improving welfare standards across the largest group of vertebrates in research and farming.
Fish pain assessment is a scientific and welfare priority given the enormous numbers of fish used in research and farming. Without validated assessment tools, welfare interventions cannot be properly evaluated and welfare standards cannot be effectively monitored. The evidence base for fish sentience now supports treating them as potentially sentient in welfare policy, but translating this into practical assessment tools requires species-specific research. Behavioural indicators that can be remotely monitored through computer vision show the most promise for practical farm-scale application. Regulatory requirements for fish pain assessment in research and production are advancing but remain less stringent than for mammals in most jurisdictions.