Aquatic Animal Welfare

Aquaculture Biosecurity and Disease Prevention

Biosecurity in aquaculture prevents disease introduction and spread, protecting fish welfare and production viability through systematic risk management.

Key Facts

Biosecurity measures include site access control, equipment disinfection and stock health screening
Pathogens enter aquaculture sites through water, equipment, personnel and stock movements
All-in all-out management reduces the risk of disease carryover between production cycles
Vaccination programmes work best when supported by good biosecurity foundations
Disease outbreaks without biosecurity can eliminate entire production sites

Welfare Considerations

Biosecurity is the foundation of aquaculture disease prevention and fish welfare protection. Disease outbreaks cause mass mortality and significant suffering. Investment in biosecurity infrastructure and training reduces disease incidence and the welfare harm of treatment interventions.

What You Can Do

Support certified aquaculture products that include biosecurity requirements
Advocate for biosecurity standards in national aquaculture regulations
Choose farmed fish products from farms with transparent disease management records