Overview of fish welfare assessment approaches, including behavioural and physiological indicators.
Fish welfare assessment is developing rapidly as the evidence base for fish sentience and welfare indicators strengthens. Behavioural indicators including swimming patterns, feeding behaviour, and social interaction provide practical welfare monitoring tools. Physiological indicators are used in research contexts. Wound and lesion assessment provides routine monitoring in aquaculture. Validated welfare assessment protocols for specific species are under development. Fish welfare assessment is a research priority with significant implications for aquaculture welfare standard development.