Animal category: Fish

Scientific review of the impact of enrichment research on zoo and aquarium practices. It reveals that zoo and aquarium professionals are paying heed to species-specific welfare needs by ensuring that enrichment protocols are supported by biological evidence. It goes on to highlight areas and species that need further research.

Scientific paper showing that a fish is able to orientate itself and move intentionally in a terrestrial environment, using a device where the fish is placed in a tank on a wheeled platform that responds to the fish's movements. This suggests that spatial representation and movement abilities are species independent.

Systematic review of the scientific literature showing that the effect on overall welfare of environmental enrichment for farmed fish depends mainly on the type of enrichment, the taxon of the fish, and the welfare category.

Scientific paper describing a framework to assess the welfare of farmed fish, based on 80 indicators grouped into 5 modules: farm management, water quality, fish group behaviour, external appearance and internal appearance of fish. An application has been developed to facilitate its use.

Good practice guidance developed by the RSPCA based on the 5 freedoms and current scientific knowledge of the needs of farmed salmon. It recognises the existence of knowledge gaps and therefore advises farmers to adopt an attitude of continuous improvement rather than relying strictly on these standards, developed at a particular moment in time.

A scientific review of the different environmental enrichment strategies for farmed fish, their effects on welfare and their practical feasibility on an industrial scale.

Presentation of the Aquatic Life Institute's 2021 report, highlighting the strong links between improved aquatic animal welfare and sustainable development. The report calls on policy makers to include aquatic animal welfare in their sustainable development policies.

Scientific paper presenting an adaptation of the QBA qualitative welfare assessment method to farmed salmon and assessing its potential as a tool for monitoring salmon welfare.

A scientific review of the effects of stocking density for juvenile and adult zebrafish used in research on growth, reproduction, stress responses (including behaviour), water quality and disease outbreaks. It recommends that stocking density should be included in guidelines for housing and should be discussed in the materials and methods sections of papers where zebrafish are used.

A scientific review of invasive and non-invasive fish-welfare assessment methods, with a focus on their practical application in aquaculture. New technologies are helping to improve the accuracy, automation and practical applicability of these methods.