THE BIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF IMPROVING FISH WELFARE USING DEMAND FEEDERS IN SCOTTISH ATLANTIC SALMON SMOLT PRODUCTION.

Fin damage can be common in farmed juvenile Atlantic salmon and is both directly harmful to the welfare of the fish and a potential sign of poor rearing conditions. Fin damage can be reduced during freshwater production by the use of feeding systems that deliver food in accordance with the fish's current appetite, rather than at fixed times. The bio-economic implications of feeding fish to appetite using demand feeding technology were modelled with the BENEFISH decision analysis tool. Using figures for Scottish smolt production, results from the model show that implementing demand feeders generates welfare benefits, but at a clear economic cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]