Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Disease Challenge Welfare: 3Rs Application

Applying the 3Rs principles to salmon disease challenge research reduces welfare harm while maintaining scientific value.

Key Facts

Replacement: in vitro cell challenge assays replace some fish challenge experiments
Reduction: statistical power analysis minimises fish numbers while maintaining study validity
Refinement: humane endpoints and anaesthetic use reduce duration and intensity of suffering
Regulatory acceptance of alternative methods is increasing but remains a barrier to full 3Rs application

Welfare Considerations

Disease challenge research on salmon causes intentional welfare harm that must be justified by scientific benefit. Systematic 3Rs application - replacing where possible, reducing numbers, and refining methods - reduces welfare cost while maintaining the research value that justifies using live fish. Regulatory acceptance of validated alternatives is the key enabler.

What You Can Do

Support 3Rs research organisations developing alternatives to fish disease challenge
Advocate for regulatory acceptance of validated in vitro salmon disease models
Choose salmon from producers whose vaccine research commitments include 3Rs compliance