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Updated: Aug 19, 2025
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A Standardized Protocol for Preference Testing to Assess Fish Welfare
Published on: February 22, 2020
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Perspective: Opportunities for advancing aquatic invertebrate welfare
Sarah J Wahltinez1, Nicole I Stacy1, Catherine A Hadfield2
1Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States.
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
|December 2, 2022
Summary
Aquatic invertebrate welfare, including pain and stress in cephalopods and crustaceans, needs greater attention. This study surveyed professionals and offers recommendations for anesthesia, humane handling, and less invasive research methods.
Area of Science:
- Animal Welfare Science
- Marine Biology
- Invertebrate Zoology
Background:
- Invertebrate welfare and regulations lag behind vertebrates, despite their vast species diversity.
- Aquatic invertebrates, especially cephalopods and crustaceans, show signs of stress and potential pain.
- Human use of aquatic invertebrates spans exhibition, research, and food industries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey aquatic animal health professionals' attitudes toward invertebrate welfare.
- To provide practical recommendations for improving aquatic invertebrate welfare.
- To address key areas including anesthesia, analgesia, euthanasia, and humane handling.
Main Methods:
- Survey of aquatic animal health professionals on invertebrate welfare.
- Analysis of current practices and attitudes.
- Development of recommendations based on survey data and scientific literature.
Main Results:
- Identified gaps in current welfare considerations for aquatic invertebrates.
- Highlighted professional awareness and concerns regarding invertebrate sentience.
- Provided a framework for advancing welfare practices.
Conclusions:
- Urgent need to improve welfare standards and regulations for aquatic invertebrates.
- Recommendations focus on anesthesia, analgesia, euthanasia, and humane sampling/slaughter.
- Adopting these measures can significantly enhance aquatic invertebrate welfare across various applications.
