New Guidelines for Seabass and Seabream in Spain: A Stepping Stone for Broader Aquaculture Reform

Following the release of the first volume of the Guidelines on Fish Welfare in Spanish Aquaculture, we are pleased to introduce Volumes 2 and 3 focusing on European seabass and Gilthead seabream respectively.

Compassion has worked closely with the industry to develop a comprehensive strategy encompassing design, implementation, and the reporting of key aspects, including humane slaughter and environmental enrichment.

We urge the Spanish Aquaculture Industry to adopt these new guidelines and commit to further elevating welfare standards for these key species.

Building block for further progress

In summary, the welfare guidelines for Seabass and Seabream represent a notable advancement over the existing voluntary UNE regulations, demonstrating the power of collaborative efforts.

While we welcome these developments, there remains scope for further progress in advancing fish welfare within the industry.

Humane Slaughter

We welcome the industry's acknowledgment and recognition that the use of ice slurry for stunning is unacceptable and requires a transition away from this practice, and eagerly await the adoption of more humane slaughter methods for seabass, seabream, and other species in Spain.

We urge the industry to demonstrate their progress in this area and look forward to providing constructive feedback to support this transition to ensure the welfare of fish at slaughter.

Stocking Density

The guidelines encompass current practices in Spain. It's encouraging to see that a segment of the industry is adhering to maximum stocking densities of approximately 15 kg/m3. We commend these exemplary practices, particularly those employing welfare indicators to gauge the suitability of stocking densities. We advocate for the broader Spanish industry to align with a maximum stocking density of 15 kg/m3.

Fasting

Currently the guidelines set a limit of 48 hours or 50 degree-days when fasting is incorporated into handling operations. However, it allows flexibility in certain cases, such as harvest or transport, where extended fasting periods of up to 7 days may be required to avoid repeated fasting. We advocate for adherence to the initial limit as it reflects best practices in safeguarding the welfare of seabass and seabream.

Moving forward, we are committed to collaborating with the industry to universally implement this limit across all operations, including harvest and transport, while ensuring that repeated fasting is mitigated.

There are many specific points that could be considered an improvement, particularly since a common guideline did not previously exist. Some key points to emphasize include:

• The incorporation of concise recommendations for environmental enrichment, which is acknowledged as a key area for development. We urge the industry to address this opportunity, and we are committed to exploring ways to support this work.
• The guidelines provide improved descriptions and recommendations for welfare indicators, advocating for their continuous monitoring, encompassing both physical and behavioural indicators. Additionally, the introduction of a mortality alert system is a commendable practice to adopt, and we strongly support the recommendation for practices related to mortality monitoring.

Read Compassion's welfare guidelines for European seabass and Gilthead seabream