Aquaculture

Farmed Halibut Welfare

Atlantic halibut aquaculture faces specific welfare challenges related to its flatfish biology, slow growth rate, and sensitivity to handling stress, with juvenile deformities being a major welfare concern.

Key Facts

Halibut has the slowest growth rate of commercial flatfish, taking 3-5 years to market size
Deformities including jaw, eye, and spinal abnormalities affect a proportion of farmed halibut
Handling stress is particularly severe in this species requiring careful management
High monetary value means welfare investment is more economically justified
Production is small-scale in Norway, Iceland, and Canada with limited welfare standards

Welfare Considerations

Halibut welfare requires management sensitive to this species' specific biology and stress responses. Deformity rates are a welfare and production concern requiring broodstock and husbandry improvement. The small scale of production makes welfare standard development easier but less prioritised.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture welfare research for flatfish species including halibut
Advocate for halibut welfare standards in any certification schemes for this species
Engage with the welfare of less well-known farmed fish species in purchasing decisions