Aquaculture

Farmed Atlantic Halibut Welfare

Atlantic halibut is a premium aquaculture species with specific welfare needs related to its flatfish biology and benthic lifestyle.

Key Facts

Atlantic halibut are the largest flatfish, reaching over 2 meters in the wild
Juveniles require a critical metamorphosis phase to become bottom-dwelling flatfish
Deformities including eye migration failure affect 10 to 30 percent of farmed juveniles
Halibut prefer low light conditions and horizontal surfaces for resting
Crowding stress responses are atypical compared to salmon, requiring species-specific assessment

Welfare Considerations

Farmed halibut with metamorphosis deformities suffer from impaired vision and feeding ability throughout their lives. Hatchery conditions during the metamorphosis window are critical for reducing deformity rates.

What You Can Do

Choose halibut from certified farms with documented deformity monitoring
Support research into improved halibut hatchery protocols
Advocate for species-specific welfare standards in flatfish aquaculture regulations