Rainbow trout farming is a significant UK aquaculture sector with welfare challenges around stocking density, disease management and slaughter that are receiving increasing research attention.
Rainbow trout welfare is shaped by water quality (particularly dissolved oxygen and temperature), stocking density and disease management. UK chalk stream farms benefit from naturally cold, well-oxygenated water but face warming challenges. Welfare-conscious operations use lower stocking densities and continuous health monitoring. Improving slaughter welfare through mandatory electrical stunning before percussive killing represents a significant near-term opportunity.