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Research project «Animal welfare also for farmed fish»

Fish farming in Switzerland has developed rapidly over the last years and will continue to grow in the future. However, there is a lack of scientifically validated methods available to fish farmers to assess the welfare of their fish in the installations.

In collaboration with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW) the FSVO is promoting the development of a model to systematically record and evaluate fish welfare in aquaculture installations. The objective is a software application (an “app”) that affords an individualised documentation to the fish farmers and makes available a standardised methodology for the research.

A model for the welfare of the fish

Based on international literature and practical experience with feeding installations, the following parameters have been developed to evaluate the welfare of the fish in 5 areas:

Water module: Quality of the water in the installation
Management module: Characteristics of the operation which directly or indirectly influence the welfare of the fish
Fish behavioural module: the general behaviour and dynamics of the group of fish
External fish module: External observations of the fish
Internal fish module: Examination of internal organs

Each module contains a number of parameters that by means of a mathematical model enable a module grade to be calculated. Some parameters are relevant only for certain aquaculture installations, and certain parameters are specific to particular species of fish. Consequently, the model is designed to be flexible enough to enable the modules to assess diverse installations and fish species.

Zuchtfisch Egli 2 — In Switzerland the perch is a popular edible fish, and local fishing falls far short of meeting the demand. This fish species is therefore found more and more in aquaculture installations.

An app for fish farmers

Based on the model, a software application was developed which is now available for use as an Android app and an MS application. The app is available in English and German and for use in recirculation and flow-through systems with rainbow trout or pikeperch. It can be downloaded at www.myaquaculturefarm.ch. A French version of the app will be released in 2021 and the app will be extended to include pike.

The ZHAW team

The project “Fish Welfare in Swiss Aquaculture” is headed by the research group leader Dr Dominik Refardt and doctoral student Linda Tschirren from the ZHAW and carried out in collaboration with representatives from across the aquaculture segment.