Refining approaches to measuring, monitoring and appraising animal welfare in aquaculture research is key to (i) protecting and optimizing it, (ii) documenting the severity of how and when it deviates, and (iii) ensuring good scientific quality, reliable results and reproducibility, amongst other factors. However, different fish species and life stages can have varying welfare needs and assessing their welfare can be challengi...

As the effects of climate change become more prominent and impacts intensify, the aquaculture sector must make decisions on adaptation strategies and implement actions that will reduce risks and increase resilience. However adaptation is complex, and there can be many consequences of action or inaction. One of the major risks is maladaptation, when an action that is introduced to minimize a negative effect makes the situation...

Aquaculture is one of the most resource‐efficient and sustainable ways to produce animal protein. The Food and Agriculture Organization predicts that cultivated aquatic species will provide around 53% of the world's seafood supply by 2030. Further growth of intensive farmed aquatic species may be limited by a shortage of feed resources. The aquaculture sector therefore needs to intensify its search for alternative ingredients...

Skin wounds and injuries are frequently occurring in farmed fish, particularly in more intensive production systems. Any disruptions of the skin, such as mucus removal, scale loss or deeper incisions, are negatively correlated with barrier functions and disease resistance. In this review, the current knowledge on mechanically induced wounds in fish is dedicated to five areas of focus: (i) The anatomy and functions of fish skin...

In the recent years, challenges faced in salmonid farming with regard to deformities have helped to improve our knowledge on skeletal biology and development of bone health in salmonids. Different nutritional, genetic and environmental factors are associated with skeletal deformities in salmonids and other fish species. Minerals are a group of essential nutrients having a vital role to play in skeletal development, growth and...