Document type: guide to good practice fromAPROMAR (Spain)
Authors: Garazi Rodríguez Valle, Javier Ojeda Gonzalez-Posada, Daniel Sánchez, Lacalle, Daniel Ryle, María J. Cabrera Álvarez, Pablo Medina, José Pablo Medina Cea, Héctor Moran Cabero, Diego Mendiola, Laurent Villaeys-Sakalian, Ramón Fariña, Susana Portela, Raúl Viedma, Zara Pedreño, Delio Lombardero, Leandro Fernández, Rufi del Olmo, Luis Miguel Sánchez, Luis César Alijas, Carmen Angoso, Álvaro Robles, David Bravo, Juan Cigarría, Roberto Jiménez, Andrés Gonzalez Lecuona, Helena González Delgado, Andrea Martínez Villalba, Roberto González Garoz, Rubén Bermejo Poza, Jesús de la Fuente Vázquez, Álvaro De la Llave Propín, Morris Villarroel, Juan Miquel Mancera, Lluis Tort, Pablo Arechavala López
Preview (translation provided by the authors): Fish welfare in aquaculture is a top priority for APROMAR. As a primary production sector, aquaculture refers to the farming of aquatic species. The objective of this activity is to provide the population with nutritious, safe, and high-quality food.
As is widely recognized, proper fish production requires ensuring fish welfare. In other words, the correct growth and development of farmed fish are only possible when animal welfare parameters are met. Therefore, it is important to remember that fish farmers are the most invested in ensuring the highest level of care for their animals. Beyond their passion for fish, welfare is directly linked to the profitability and sustainability indicators of any business. This guide serves as a manual of best practices for farming rainbow trout(Oncorhynchus mykiss) in Spain. This subsector is highly diverse, ranging from small family businesses to large corporate groups. Aquaculture production in Spain began with the farming of this species, and today, for many farm workers, dedicating their lives to it is a family tradition. The knowledge of farming requirements is extensive, carried out in natural environments of high ecological and scenic value, and represents an economic pillar for many rural communities. Readers of this guide should keep these aspects in mind to appreciate the work of these fish farmers and the purpose of this guide, as it embodies the effort and dedication of multiple generations striving to ensure that their rainbow trout grow in the highest quality waters, under the best conditions, and with the most appropriate and healthy management practices.
Funded through national and European resources, this rainbow trout welfare guide is the result of a collaborative effort among key actors in the Spanish aquaculture sector, including MAPA, APROMAR, expert scientists in animal welfare, fish farming companies, and animal protection organizations (NGOs). The guide includes a) biological characteristics of the species, b) operational welfare indicators, c) critical welfare points in different farming systems and development stages, d) best practices for farming this species, e) staff training and communication strategies, and f) challenges facing the sector.
For the first time, a single document compiles the latest scientific knowledge on rainbow trout welfare, outlining a series of operational indicators for monitoring. These indicators are specific, measurable, and adaptable to different life cycle stages and production systems. The guide also defines critical welfare points during the reproduction, incubation, fry, pre-growth, and growth phases. Additionally, it describes practices related to various common farm procedures, such as feeding, environmental conditions and confinement, stunning and slaughter, handling and maintenance, reproduction, animal health, and transport.
The training of personnel and the management of fish farming companies have a direct impact on the welfare of fish raised in controlled environments. This guide acknowledges their importance and is designed as an educational and informational tool. Training should be updated regularly and include specific sections on welfare concepts and evaluation methods, as well as distinct practices and challenges in fish farming. Lastly, the sustainable and responsible development of Spanish aquaculture presents several challenges, one of the most significant being the need to ensure the welfare of farmed fish. The final chapter of the guide highlights key factors, such as the application of humane slaughter techniques, climate change, cross-sector collaboration, research, science and technology, and the establishment of a binding legal framework that adequately protects the welfare of aquatic animals.
