Cleaner fish growth, welfare and survival in Atlantic salmon sea cages during an autumn-winter production

Geitung, Lena; Wright, Daniel; Oppedal, Frode; Stien, Lars Helge; Vågseth, Tone; Madaro, Angelico

doi:10.1016/j.aquaculture.2020.735623

Cited by 36 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 67 publications

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“…However, recent studies still record high mortalities for C. lumpus during autumn/winter seasons, meaning some undercurrent issue (poor nutritional status, aggression, environmental conditions, etc .) is hampering their welfare (Geitung et al ., 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using model selection to choose a size‐based condition index that is consistent with operational welfare indicators

Rey

Treasurer²,

Pattillo

et al. 2021

Journal of Fish Biology

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Quantitative and qualitative measures of fish health and welfare are essential for management of both wild capture and aquaculture species. These measures include morphometric body condition indices, energetic condition and aquaculture operational welfare indicators (OWIs). Measures vary in ease of measurement (and may require destructive sampling), and it is critical to know how well they correlate with fish health and welfare so appropriate management decisions can be based on them. Lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) is a new farming species that needs nondestructive OWIs to be developed and validated. In this study, we developed a C. lumpus fin damage score. Four different body condition indexes based on individual weight relative to either length–weight relationships or relative to other fish in its local environment were tested (using model selection) as predictors of individual fin damage. Results showed severity of fin damage was predicted by small size relative to the other individuals in the tank or cage. Body condition based on length–weight relationship was not found to predict fin damage, indicating that using established indices from fisheries or from other species would not predict welfare risks from fin damage. Implications are that especially in hatchery conditions grading will improve the condition index, and is expected to mitigate fin damage, but that low weight at length was not of use in predicting fin damage. Model selection to choose between a suite of possible indices proved powerful and should be considered in other applications where an easily measured index is needed to correlate with other health measures.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using model selection to choose a size‐based condition index that is consistent with operational welfare indicators

Rey

Treasurer²,

Pattillo

et al. 2021

Journal of Fish Biology

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“…Considered a safer and more environmentally friendly way to remove sea lice than other chemical treatments, and less stressful for the salmon than mechanical or thermal treatments, the introduction of cleaner fish into sea cages nevertheless comprise novel welfare challenges of which our interlocutors repeatedly made us aware. Recent studies indicate that cleaner fish have a relatively high mortality rate (Stien et al, 2020b ) and a total loss rate (undocumented mortalities and escapees) of nearly 100% (Geitung et al, 2020 ). They die of disease or predation, either while “on the job” in salmon pens or during long-distance transport that many of them endure to reach the salmon pens on the western coast of Norway (Størkersen & Amundsen, 2019 ; Stien, Størkersen & Gåsnes 2020a ).…”

Section: Aquaculture In Norwaymentioning

confidence: 99%

Minding the Gaps in Fish Welfare: The Untapped Potential of Fish Farm Workers

Medaas

Lien

Gismervik

et al. 2021

J Agric Environ Ethics

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The welfare of farmed fish is often regarded with less concern than the welfare of other husbandry animals, as fish are not universally classified as sentient beings. In Norway, farmed fish and other husbandry animals are legally protected under the same laws. Additionally, the legislature has defined a number of aquaculture-specific amendments, including mandatory welfare courses for fish farmers who have a key role in securing animal welfare, also with regards to noting welfare challenges in the production process. This article uses fish welfare courses as a site from which to inquire about the common-sense understanding of fish welfare in Norwegian fish farming. The focus is specifically on fish farm employees, their experiences of welfare-related issues and contradictions in their daily work, and the struggle to act responsibly in aquaculture settings. Through participant observation at welfare courses, as well as interviews and conversations with fish farm workers, the article details how challenges are experienced ‘on the ground’, and suggests how fish farm workers’ own experiential knowledge might be mobilized to improve the general welfare of farmed fish.

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“…The most important knowledge gaps were thought to be in relation to the general biology, motivated by its unusual morphology and clinging habits, 63 the little information available on many aspects of its behaviour, [64][65][66] the extent and causes of mortality, 67 the preferences of the species in relation to temperature 30,68,69 and current velocity, 70 as well as its genetic structure 71,72 and specific welfare needs. 51 In terms of husbandry and logistics, participants highlighted problems surrounding the optimal timing and frequency of grading, the correct use of shelters 73 and tank enrichment, the development of a breeding programme 13 and the practical difficulties of separating lumpfish from salmon prior to cage treatment.…”

Section: Challenges (N = 40) Weightmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…13 However, lumpfish survival in salmon net-pens is often poor, and there is increasing concern regarding their welfare. 23,24 Studies have shown that lumpfish mortalities can reach 27% or more shortly after deployment in salmon net-pens [25][26][27][28][29][30][31] although the reasons for this are not clear. 30 Emaciation, stress, diseases and poor knowledge of the specific nutritional and habitat requirements have been flagged as some of the main welfare challenges for the species.…”

Section: Introduction: the Need For Welfare Ind Ic Ator S For Lumpfis Hmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…23,24 Studies have shown that lumpfish mortalities can reach 27% or more shortly after deployment in salmon net-pens [25][26][27][28][29][30][31] although the reasons for this are not clear. 30 Emaciation, stress, diseases and poor knowledge of the specific nutritional and habitat requirements have been flagged as some of the main welfare challenges for the species. [32][33][34] Many of these problems stem from the fact that salmon farming has evolved to suit the needs of Atlantic salmon, not those of cleaner fish.…”

Section: Introduction: the Need For Welfare Ind Ic Ator S For Lumpfis Hmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Addressing the welfare needs of farmed lumpfish: Knowledge gaps, challenges and solutions

Leániz

Rabadán

Barrento

et al. 2021

Reviews in Aquaculture

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Cleaner fish growth, welfare and survival in Atlantic salmon sea cages during an autumn-winter production

Cited by 36 publications

References 67 publications

Using model selection to choose a size‐based condition index that is consistent with operational welfare indicators

Using model selection to choose a size‐based condition index that is consistent with operational welfare indicators

Minding the Gaps in Fish Welfare: The Untapped Potential of Fish Farm Workers

Addressing the welfare needs of farmed lumpfish: Knowledge gaps, challenges and solutions

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