Elasmobranch welfare in aquarium settings requires understanding their unique physiological and behavioural needs. Space requirements and water quality standards are critical welfare determinants.
Elasmobranch welfare in aquaria requires species-appropriate thinking above all else. Open-ocean migratory sharks cannot be adequately kept in any feasible captive facility. Benthic and reef-associated species can be maintained with welfare acceptable for conservation and education purposes in well-designed systems. The trend toward touch pool exhibits featuring rays raises welfare concerns from repeated handling stress. Aquaria committed to welfare should restrict their elasmobranch collection to species whose needs can genuinely be met and resist commercial pressure to display animals whose welfare they cannot provide for.