ANIMAL WELFARE
Visual indicators fall short in assessing anesthetic effect on fish
Visual observation is inadequate to assess whether anesthetics have rendered fish unconscious, leading to potential welfare risks, according to research in Sweden.
Reducing the need for live fish in vaccine research and development
Initiatives to avoid the use of live animals in research are happening across academia and industry worldwide, based on the “3 Rs” principles — replacement, reduction and refinement.
Research highlights ways to improve the lives of cleaner-fish species
The welfare of lumpfish used in biological control of sea lice significantly worsens after they are moved to cages at sea, while for wrasse, challenges in nurseries are causing problems before sea transfer.
Revealing shared welfare challenges and solutions in the Scottish salmon industry
Sea lice, gill health and environmental challenges are the major considerations for Scottish salmon producers looking to improve the welfare of their fish, according to an Institute of Aquaculture survey.
Cutting antibiotic use in Chile’s growing salmon sector
An interview with Francisco Vallejos, MV, deputy health manager for Camanchaca SA.
High stocking density linked to skeletal issues in juvenile sea bream
Lower stocking densities could reduce the frequency of skeletal deformities in young gilthead sea bream, increasing fish welfare and productivity.
Navigating barriers on the road to gene-edited fish
Gene editing could aid fish resistance to disease, as well as provide other advantages to producers, but there are still barriers to overcome before it becomes widely used in global aquaculture, according to an industry expert.
New tools can transform understanding of aquaculture’s microbiology
The microbiome of aquaculture systems has long been known to have a significant role in fish health and welfare issues, yet a full understanding of these interactions has often eluded experts.
How to balance fish welfare and environmental protection in aquaculture
Fish farmers’ efforts to protect the environment often come at a cost to fish welfare, say scientists at the University of Melbourne, in a new opinion paper.