Fish Welfare Mini Symposium

How do fish perceive pain? What are the research findings about pain perception and stress? How can one measure natural fish behaviour? Is there evidence-based knowledge to optimally handle, transport and keep fish? To what extent do insights in animal welfare apply to fish? What do we observe in aquaculture, wild-capture fisheries, and research surveys as applied challenges and potential solutions? What about legislation and experiments to mitigate current practices? During this one-day symposium, jointly organised by ILVO (Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) and VLIZ (Flanders Marine Institute), the international knowledge landscape will be explored to prioritise future actions.On 29 November 2019 in Ostend, Belgium.

Programme

8:30 Welcome & coffee

9:00 Introduction
Moderator: Dominique Adriaens (Ghent University)

SESSION 1: Pain and stress research

9:05 Keynote lecture: Protecting the welfare of captive fish
Felicity Huntingford (Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, UK) & Sunil Kadri (Aquaculture Innovation, University of Stirling, UK)

Abstract

The most pressing welfare concern to date for fish held in culture systems has rightly been to remove or minimise possible suffering. In broad terms and sticking with the most pragmatic definition of welfare (the proper functioning of biological systems), those involved in fish culture know what to do to promote fish welfare and are doing it. This is not least because, except perhaps in highly intensified aquaculture, the need for good production and the need for good welfare still pull in the same direction. In this presentation we will review these points briefly, before exploring what is called “positive welfare”, defined as “ensuring that captive animals have access to positive experiences or emotions”. This immediately raises questions about the extent to which the animals concerned are sentient and we will discuss what the word ‘sentience’ means and how it might be investigated objectively in fish. We will describe and illustrate two complementary approaches, the first being to make careful observation of and experiments on fish behaviour and the second being to draw deductions about fish sentience from how their brains work. We will then explore possible implications for fish culture of seeking to promote positive welfare, in the specific context of how wild fishes are motivated, strongly and positively, to keep their body surface in good shape.

9:45 Humane endpoints in studies involving fish
Annemie Decostere (Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University)

Abstract

Fish are increasingly used as experimental animals in scientific research and studies may elicit pain and/or distress in the fish. Humane endpoints, whereby pain and/or distress may be prevented or alleviated whilst still achieving the study objectives, should be included in these latter experiments. However, hitherto information on humane endpoints in fish research is scarce with only few reports giving specific advice on how these may be established and hardly any publications dealing with their concrete implementation. Our research group has developed several challenge models to reproduce bacterial diseases in various fish species. Upon trying to include humane endpoints in these differing models, we are confronted with various challenges needing to be tackled. These include amongst others the difficulty for monitoring individual fish in experiments involving a high number of fish per tank/aquarium; identifying adequate endpoints that still allow to meet the study aims; adopting minimally disturbing yet reliable indicators; determining/evaluating the need for humane endpoints for every scientific procedure, species and environment; the acquisition of information on the use of analgesia in fish, not only in terms of dosage (taking into account the differences in between fish species, age, reproductive stage, amongst others, and its environment), but also the mechanisms of action and possible impact on the study course and results.

10:00 Monitoring catch welfare using biomarkers: helping fish and fisheries survive?
Sebastian Uhlmann & Noémi Van Bogaert (Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food - ILVO)

Abstract

Monitoring and assessing the vitality of commercially caught fish by visually evaluating physical and behavioural states allows resource-efficient on-board data collection which would be difficult to measure otherwise. By quantifying reflex responsiveness and extent of bleeding injury, biological proxies were developed to predict post-release survival probability of discarded flatfish. Reflexes are externally stimuli-triggered, innate and involuntary motor responses that can become physiologically impaired from conventional capture-and-discarding practices on-board commercial vessels. Based on these methods, data were collected which facilitated the implementation of the European landing obligation law.

10:15 Working with wild-caught flatfish in experiments: two sides of the story
Maaike Vercauteren (Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University)

Abstract

Working with wild-caught flatfish is a tremendously interesting but at the same time challenging endeavor. During this presentation, various aspects of working with wild-caught flatfish will be discussed, based on the experience of our research group with common dab (Limanda limanda). Focus will be on proper statistical design of experimental studies to counteract variation in the experimental population with the 3R principle (replacement, reduction, refinement) in mind. However, the presentation will also focus on elements to consider in the maintenance of flatfish in experimental tanks, possible tools to assess health, and important environmental enrichment. To conclude we will elaborate on stress as elicited by the transition to captivity. This stress can have a large and sometimes unexpected effect on the fish and complicate interpretation of experimental results. Both stress detection and proper experimental design can aid in solving these problems.

10:30 Coffee break

SESSION 2: Farmed fish and ethics

11:00 Keynote lecture: Fishing in an underwater world?
Gert Flik (Radboud University, Nijmegen, NL)

11:30 EU legislation and activities on welfare of farmed fish
Birgit Van Tongelen (DG Mare, European Commission)

Abstract

EU legislation on welfare of farmed fish contains general requirements. Only Commission Regulation (EC) N°889/2008 on organic production includes specific requirements for aquaculture such as maximum stocking density. The EU is funding research on fish welfare and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has developed a number of general and species specific scientific opinions related to the welfare of farmed fish. The Commission is closely following the work of the Own-Initiative Subgroup on fish welfare under the EU’s Platform on Animal Welfare. Via the Open Method of Coordination the Commission is facilitating the exchange of information and good practices on welfare of farmed fish between Member States. The Commission has launched the review of the 2013 “Strategic Guidelines for the sustainable development of EU aquaculture” and welfare of farmed fish will be one of the issues to be addressed.

11:45 Environmental enrichment and its potential in fish aquaculture
Thomas Abeel (Research group Aqua-ERF, Odisee College Belgium)

Abstract

Environmental enrichment is considered a simple and effective way to improve the welfare of captive animals. Research indicates that fish can be affected by the complexity of their environment. Therefore, providing environmental enrichment can be beneficial when fish are being kept in captivity. Some interesting insights on this topic will be shared and the potential of environmental enrichment in fish farms will be discussed.

12:00 The human-fish relationship
Christel Moons (Faculty Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University)

Abstract

Humans keep (or do not keep) animals for a variety of reasons. These reasons characterize the types of relationships humans have with animals and, consequently, the attitudes towards animals and the extent of care that is provided. This talk will explore those relationships and situate fish within them. Additional factors that affect the attitude of humans towards animals are introduced in the context of the fish-human relationship.

12:15 Lunch and poster session

SESSION 3: Applied challenges and potential solutions

13:15 Demersal trawling and welfare of fish: what are the challenges and possible solutions?
Hans Polet (Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food - ILVO)

Abstract

Demersal trawl fisheries come in a wide variety of design in fishing gear and operational characteristics. As such, the effects on fish during a fishing and processing operation may be quite different depending on the type of fishery. In general, however, the different consecutive stages that fish undergo in a demersal trawling operation are quite similar. In this presentation an overview is given of these stages and the differences between types of fisheries that may influence the impact on fish.

13:30 Observations on the welfare of fish released from demersal trawls
Mike Breen (Institute of Marine Research, NO)

Abstract

Substantial proportions of fish and other animals entering demersal trawls are subsequently released, via escape and discarding of unwanted catch. Depending on where in the capture process this release occurs, each animal can experience an array of stressors that can severely impact its welfare. This impact on welfare not only has moral implications but can undermine the sustainability of a fishery, by killing substantial proportions of undersized fish that our purposely released using selective technical measures. This presentation will review evidence from a series of experiments conducted in the UK and Norway which investigated the survival of and injuries to gadoid fish released from demersal trawls. It will discuss the likely injurious mechanisms encountered by fish during the capture process and suggest approaches for improving the welfare of released fish.

13:45 Improving fish welfare in recreational angling
David Bral (Flemish Association for Recreational Anglers)

Abstract

In Flanders recreational anglers have developed a broad range of strategies to improve fish welfare. These strategies include both ecological measures on the ecosystem level as well as direct measures on the individual level. On the individual level, angling associations aim to improve fish welfare by adopting measures and precautions both in catching methods and in ways of handling and releasing fish after capture. These measures and precautions are published in so-called codes of conduct. For each type of recreational fisheries, ranging from individual to competition angling, such a code of conduct has been distributed and actively promoted along the angling community. Ecological measures taken by angling associations range from actively protesting for better water quality to avoid mass fish kills by oxygen depletion, up to participation in projects involving improving fish migration possibilities and restoring fish habitats. Several angling associations work together with the Flemish government to reduce plastic waste, to prevent spawning beds from silting, to manage invasive exotic plants such as giant hogweed, to maintain good water quality, to cooperate in scientific fish research, to participate in fish restoration projects for rare and endangered species, and to act against commercial but illegal fish poaching.

14:00 Aquaculture
Edson Panana Villalobos (Inagro)

Abstract

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food production sectors in the world. In 2018, aquaculture accounted for approximately 47% of the total fish protein production. This exponential growth in the sector is linked with intensive production practices. These intensive practices raise questions among final consumers concerning the welfare of farmed fish. During the last decades people involved in fish production have understood that animal health and welfare is a vital component of aquaculture, and which are greatly impacted by environmental conditions and the basic operational principles of aquaculture. In this presentation, an overview about the challenges and opportunities of fish welfare in the aquaculture sector will be discussed.

14.15 Concluding questions and remarks
Dominique Adriaens (Ghent University)

Location

Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ)
InnovOcean site
Wandelaarkaai 7 (entry warehouse 61)
8400 Oostende
How to reach us?

Registration

Attendance to this conference is free. Registration is mandatory no later than 21 November on this link.

Pre-publication article magazine De Grote Rede

Dutch speaking participants can read the overview article 'Voelen vissen pijn?' (in Dutch only) as a pre-publication of the magazine De Grote Rede #51 appearing in spring of 2020.

Abstract submission

If you wish to present a poster at the symposium, you can submit your abstract on the link mentioned in the invitation mail, no later than 15 November 2019. The form to submit your abstract is divided into separate fields:

Title: give your abstract an appealing title to stimulate the reader to read the full abstract.
Abstract: write an abstract on your work, containing no more than 500 words. Only plain, bold and italic text is allowed, as well as subscript and superscript. All other layout will not be exported. Images are not allowed. Please note that this abstract must be camera-ready, i.e. we do not foresee any editing, the author is fully responsible for its contents and language.
Keyword: by listing a max. of five well thought-out keywords you can make sure your abstract is easily detected by interested readers.
Authors: for each author, the full name and affiliation must be submitted. The order in which you submit is the order in which they will be published.

If your abstract is selected for a poster presentation, you will be informed by e-mail by 18 November 2019.
Requested poster size is A0, portrait orientated (841 mm wide, 1189 mm high) or smaller.

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Fish Welfare Mini Symposium

Programme

SESSION 1: Pain and stress research

SESSION 2: Farmed fish and ethics

SESSION 3: Applied challenges and potential solutions

Location

Registration

Pre-publication article magazine De Grote Rede

Abstract submission