As veterinarians, the welfare of all animals is important to us, and this includes aquatic animals.

We understand how closely linked fish welfare is to the food quality.

We recognise that the science around fish welfare is still evolving and acknowledge that value-based assumptions are important when considering fish welfare.

We also acknowledge that fish bring us great benefits as a highly nutritious food.

Fortunately, addressing fish welfare issues also generally greatly benefits the quality of the fish we eat. Intensive animal production requires considerable attention to the welfare of the animals being farmed and this includes the farming of fish. The capture of wild fish, either commercially or recreationally, needs to be done in a manner that minimises unnecessary stress. This also helps if a captured fish is released, as is increasingly being done in the recreational fishing sector. Panaquatic has been closely involved in fish welfare issues in Australia for many years.

We are continually developing and refining practical welfare guidelines as well as assisting in the development of welfare standards for the recreational, commercial and aquaculture sectors, industries that are of high social and economic importance.