Fish welfare with an emphasis on behavioural indicators

by David Benhaim, from Hólar University, Depatment of Aquqculture and Fish biology

On Friday, February 23th from 12:30 to 13:30 in Askja-N131 and on Zoom.

Abstract:

There is growing interest in animal welfare from both the public and the scientific community. This is a complex concept because there is still no formal consensus regarding definitions and methods to approach it, which becomes even more complicated in fish due to their vast diversity; what holds true for one species may not apply to another. Furthermore, fish farming is a much more recent activity compared with that of terrestrial animals. Studies on welfare aim to determine what is harmful or undesirable for the animal and try to mitigate negative impacts on their well-being. Extensive research has been conducted on behavioral, physiological, growth, and health indicators of welfare impairment. However, welfare also concerns what is beneficial or desired by the animal, which relates to positive welfare. Research on positive welfare in fish is lagging. The purpose of this talk is to provide an overview of my research within the context of aquaculture with an emphasis on behavioral traits such as feeding behavior, swimming activity, cognition, and personality, and how they link to other traits such as growth performance and physiology. Finally, we examine how it relates to research on positive welfare in fish.

Ugla event: https://ugla.hi.is/vidburdir/SkodaVidburd.php?sid=1448&vidburdur_id=9126

Zoom link: https://eu01web.zoom.us/j/68251075289 - Meeting ID: 682 5107 5289