Fish welfare and cognition

Aquaculture production is a rapidly expanding sector, driven by the increasing demand for fish as a source of human consumption. This growth has led to a surge in the number of farmed fish, raising significant concerns about the welfare conditions under which these animals are kept. Ensuring optimal housing conditions and maintaining high welfare standards throughout the production process is not only a societal challenge but also a moral obligation for all stakeholders involved. Traditionally, fish welfare has been assessed based on physical health indicators such as nutrition and the absence of disease. However, recent studies have revealed the sophisticated cognitive abilities of certain fish species, highlighting their capacity for complex emotions and behavioral responses to environmental changes. These findings underscore the importance of considering mental well-being alongside physical health in welfare assessments. The diversity of fish species used in aquaculture, each with unique behaviors and cognitive abilities, complicates the standardization of welfare concepts, necessitating a species-specific approach to fish welfare research.

This research topic aims to gather original research and reviews that address the latest advances in fish welfare, with a particular emphasis on brain function and species-specific cognitive abilities. The objective is to explore the physiological and behavioral aspects of fish welfare, as well as field studies that contribute to this understanding. By focusing on these areas, the research seeks to answer critical questions about how cognitive abilities influence welfare and to test hypotheses related to the mental and physical well-being of fish in aquaculture settings.

To gather further insights into the complexities of fish welfare and cognition, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- Species-specific cognitive abilities and their impact on welfare.
- Physiological measurements related to stress and well-being in fish.
- Behavioral observations and their implications for welfare standards.
- The role of environmental enrichment in promoting positive welfare states.
- Comparative studies on the welfare of different fish species in aquaculture.
- Ethical considerations and policy implications for fish welfare in aquaculture.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Classification
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Aquaculture, Fish Welfare, Fish Behaviour, Fish Cognition

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.