Rainbow trout farming is one of the UK largest aquaculture sectors, with welfare considerations including stocking density, handling stress, disease management and slaughter methods.
Rainbow trout welfare is better understood and more regulated than many other aquaculture species, partly because trout farming has been practiced longest and partly because trout are easily observed. The key welfare challenges — excessive stocking density, poor water quality, handling stress during grading and harvest, and inhumane slaughter — are well characterized and in principle addressable. The RSPCA Assured scheme for trout includes welfare outcome monitoring and prohibits certain inhumane practices. Progress on trout welfare demonstrates that aquaculture welfare improvement is achievable when standards are set and enforced, providing a model for less regulated species.