1 research outputs found
Review: Assessing fish welfare in research and aquaculture, with a focus on European directives.
The number of farmed fish in the world has increased considerably. Aquaculture is a growing industry that will in the future
provide a large portion of fishery products. Moreover, in recent years, the number of teleost fish used as animal models for
scientific research in both biomedical and ecological fields has increased. Therefore, it is increasingly important to implement
measures designed to enhance the welfare of these animals. Currently, a number of European rules exist as requirements for the
establishment, care and accommodation of fish maintained for human purposes. As far as (teleost) fish are concerned, the fact that
the number of extant species is much greater than that of all other vertebrates must be considered. Of further importance is that
each species has its own specific physical and chemical requirements. These factors make it difficult to provide generalized
recommendations or requirements for all fish species. An adequate knowledge is required of the physiology and ecology of each
species bred. This paper integrates and discusses, in a single synthesis, the current issues related to fish welfare, considering that
teleosts are target species for both aquaculture and experimental models in biological and biomedical research. We first focus on
the practical aspects, which must be considered when assessing fish welfare in both research and aquaculture contexts. Next, we
address husbandry and the care of fish housed in research laboratories and aquaculture facilities in relation to their physiological
and behavioural requirements, as well as in reference to the suggestions provided by European regulations. Finally, to evaluate
precisely which parameters described by Directive 2010/63/EU are reported in scientific papers, we analysed 82 articles published
by European researchers in 2014 and 2015. This review found that there is a general lack of information related to the optimal
environmental conditions that should be provided for the range of species covered by this directive