Farm fisheries, like the rest of the agricultural industry, continue to expand to meet the needs of the American consumer. The economic argument is that as demand increases, so must supply. With these domestic fish farms continually growing, the fish are exposed to a number of issues that include improper facilities, unethical feedings, and inhumane killings. When observing the history of fish farm developments, alongside an outline of how the facilities are built to maximize production, the threat to the fish Americans consume on a daily basis is apparent.
An analysis of the anatomy of fish is a prime way to frame the issue of how the fish are treated on a fishery farm. There are certain needs that must be met in order to best care for the fish. This includes looking at specific features of a fish such as protection of the gill structure, fins, and the outer layer of scales. When exposed to certain conditions, like overcrowding and concrete flooring in the tanks, those important anatomical features are threatened.
An animal welfare understanding of how to treat animals applies to companion animals, like dogs, and should also be applied to agricultural animals like cows and fish. The baseline standard is looking at the “Five Freedoms,” which establish welfare principles. When each of these freedoms are met, the animal is treated humanely, which respects their welfare needs. However, when looking at the Five Freedoms and what conditions these fish are exposed to, violation of fish welfare occurs in many fish farms.
When looked at holistically, the fish on these farms are reared without any notion of those Five Freedoms. Advocates suggest that there needs to be a thorough overhaul of how farm fisheries currently operate to lessen the pain and suffering the fish deal with on a daily basis. Significant steps have been taken over the years to improve the welfare of agricultural animals, but the welfare of fish has been sitting on the sideline with little concern.