Rainbow trout is one of the most widely farmed fish species globally, with welfare challenges around handling, grading, crowding, and slaughter that require systematic improvement.
Trout welfare science has advanced significantly in recent years, with clear evidence that these fish experience pain and stress responses that should be minimised in commercial production. The challenge is that handling and grading are operationally necessary, but their welfare impact can be substantially reduced through anaesthesia, minimised air exposure, and appropriate anaesthetic recovery periods. Humane slaughter methods are available and increasingly adopted in premium production systems.