Animal category: Fish

Article retailing the history of the transport of live animals in the EU and setting out current issues surrounding it. Despite gradual improvements, recent opinions issued by EFSA and a report by the European Court of Auditors highlight the need to revise the legislation to resolve continued problems.

Summary of the various research studies carried out on use of physical enrichment in fish farming to improve fish welfare. Although research on fish welfare remains limited, the authors note an increase in publications on the subject. Efforts are still needed to diversify the range of welfare indicators used (beyond the common metrics of growth and behavior).

Article highlighting the importance of  achieving a better understanding of the biology and behavior of domestic fish in order to provide them with appropriate care when raised in aquariums.

Study exploring gaps in fish protection during slaughter. Improved welfare protocols could not only reduce fish suffering, but also improve meat quality and positively influence consumer perception and the economics of aquaculture.

Enquête citoyenne de CIWF et Eurogroup for Animals sur l’attitude des citoyens européens à l’égard du poisson et de sa consommation, ainsi que ses connaissances concernant les pratiques d’élevage.

Scientific overview exploring environmental enrichment, designed to improve the welfare and cognitive abilities of animals in captivity. Enrichment provides animals with the means to acquire information by interacting with their environment, thereby promoting adaptation. This approach suggests that complex and varied environments are more enriching than simply prolonging exposure to stimuli, even if the former are neutral or slightly negative.

Study evaluating the effectiveness of dry and percussive electrical stunning for the ethical slaughter of rainbow trout. The results indicate that percussivestunning is more effective, while dry electrical stunning requires further research before it can be validated as a humane slaughter method.

Scientific paper proposing an automated method for real-time monitoring of shrimp behavior, using an instance segmentation system based on machine learning. This system, which is 89% accurate at 30 fps, provides a way to overcome the challenges of working in harsh underwater environments, facilitating biological investigations and improving automated aquaculture systems.

Scientific article testing the feasibility of a crowding assessment grid for salmon raised in sea cages. Three levels of crowding intensity were selected to assess their impacts on salmon welfare.

Analysis of a survey of the general public to assess knowledge and attitudes towards animal welfare during slaughter (including religious slaughter), in 14 culturally and religiously diverse countries. The results suggest that concern for reducing animal suffering during slaughter is a universal human tendency rather than a cultural development. Acceptance of slaughter without prior stunning is linked to local interpretations of religious requirements.