FISH WELFARE

Fish have the same stress response and powers of nociception as mammals. Their behavioural responses to a variety of situations suggest a considerable ability for higher level neural processing - a level of consciousness equivalent perhaps to that attributed to mammals.

Each chapter of this book has been written by specialists in their field. The subject matter is wide ranging and covers in detail concepts of animal welfare in addition to more specific aspects of fish welfare. Philosophical concepts of welfare are discussed along with more practical areas of fish welfare encompassing all husbandry and management activities that have a potential to affect the welfare of the fish in our care.

This book is an essential purchase for fish veterinarians, fish farmers, fish biologists and those involved in the aquaculture industry and its regulation.

Edward Branson MRCVS, Veterinary Surgeon, RCVS Specialist in Fish Health and Production, Monmouthshire, UK

Edward Branson died suddenly before this book was finished and it is a great sadness to his friends and colleagues that he did not see the completion of a project that was so dear to his heart. Edward was a very active member of the Fish Veterinary Society and it was always his wish that the Society should address all aspects of fish welfare. It was Edward's ambition that the Society hold a wide-ranging workshop on current issues of Fish Welfare and, during his term of office as President, he saw this wish fulfilled. This book is a direct result of that workshop.

"Certainly a vital book for anyone involved with aquaculture practically anywhere in the world." (Ausmarine, April 2009)
"Newcomers to the field will find the book a useful introductory compendium. It provides concise coverage of topics that are central to the field that is becoming increasingly important." (Aquaculture International, August 2008)
"Fish Welfare is a ground-breaking science book that addresses key questions … It cuts through the myths of and anecdotal evidence and presents us with scientific facts." (Aquatic Trader PBW News Magazine)

Introduction.
E J Branson & P J Southgate.
Part 1: General Fish Welfare.
Chapter 1 What is animal welfare?.
A B Lawrence.
Chapter 2 Welfare and fish.
F A Huntingford & S Kadri.
Chapter 3 The stress response in fish - mechanisms, effects and measurement.
T G Pottinger.
Chapter 4 Pain and fear in fish.
P J Ashley & L U Sneddon.
Chapter 5 Can fish suffer?.
V A Braithwaite & P Boulcott.
Chapter 6 Welfare legislation applying to farmed fish in UK.
A Voas.
Part 2: Aquaculture and fish welfare.
Chapter 7 Fish farmer’s perspective of welfare.
N Read.
Chapter 8 Stocking density.
J F Turnbull, B P North, T Ellis, C E Adams, J Bron, C MacIntyre & F A Huntingford.
Chapter 9 Fin erosion in farmed fish.
T Ellis, B Oidtmann, S St-Hilaire, J F Turnbull, B P North, C M MacIntyre, J Nikolaidis, S C Kestin, T Knowles & I Hoyle.
Chapter 10 The influences of water quality on the welfare of farmed rainbow trout: a review.
C M MacIntyre, T Ellis, B P North & J F Turnbull.
Chapter 11 Welfare of fish during transport.
P J Southgate.
Chapter 12 Disease control, vaccination and medicine availability related to welfare.
T Wall.
Chapter 13 Deformities.
T Turnbull & E J Branson.
Chapter 14 Welfare of Fish at Harvest.
D H F Robb.
Chapter 15 The use of stakeholders focus groups to identify indicators for the on-farm assessment of trout welfare.
B P North, T Ellis, J Bron, T G Knowles & J F Turnbull.
Part 3: Ornamental fish and welfare.
Chapter 16 The welfare of ornamental fish.
C Walster