The effects of stocking density on fish welfare
Louise Baldwin
Abstract
The welfare of intensively farmed fish is a subject of increasing interest and one of \nthe principal areas of concern is stocking density. Several studies have examined the \neffects of density on the welfare of farmed fish, and have found it to be a source of \nchronic stress with commonly reported effects including reduced growth rates, \nalterations in the physical condition and health of fish, and the activation of stress \nresponses. Such changes in the biological and physiological systems of fish are \nindicative of a reduced welfare status. However due to pronounced interspecies \nvariations in behavioural and physiological requirements, the way in which stocking \ndensity affects various aspects of welfare in farmed fish is strongly species-specific, \nand in some cases life stage dependent. The combination of a range of indicators to \nassess the effect of density on fish welfare is the most reliable method to determine \nwhether stocking density has a detrimental impact on the welfare of intensively \nfarmed fish.