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fair-fish international association
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EUR: CH51 0900 0000 9136 2602 9
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Bank: PostFinance, 3030 Bern, Switzerland
Peer-reviewed
Please find below all of our peer-reviewed papers and posters.
2024
Maia, Caroline Marques, João L. Saraiva, and Eliane Gonçalves-de-Freitas (2024). Fish welfare in farms: potential, knowledge gaps and other insights from the fair-fish database. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 11: 1450087. doi:10.3389/fvets.2024.1450087
Maia, Caroline Marques, João L. Saraiva, Jenny Volstorf, and Eliane Gonçalves-de-Freitas (2024). Surveying the welfare of farmed fish species on a global scale through the fair‐fish database. Journal of Fish Biology 105, 3: 960-974. doi:10.1111/jfb.15846
Volstorf, Jenny, Caroline Marques Maia, María J. Cabrera-Álvarez, and Sebastian Scholz (2024). Application of slaughter protocols for aquatic species in aquaculture. Poster for the conference "Humanely ending the life of animals", 06.-07.03.2024 in Bern/Switzerland.
2023
Volstorf, Jenny, Caroline Marques Maia, María J. Cabrera-Álvarez, and Sebastian Scholz (2023). Welfare Assessment of Aquatic Species in Fisheries. Poster for the conference "Catch Welfare Platform", 20.-22.11.2023 in Bergen/Norway and ICES "Annual Science Conference", 09.-12.09.2024 in Gateshead/UK, "Best Poster" Award.
2022
Saraiva, João L., Jenny Volstorf, María J. Cabrera-Álvarez, and Pablo Arechavala-Lopez (2022). Using ethology to improve farmed fish welfare and production. Report produced for the AAC. 67 pp + annexes
2020
Studer, Billo Heinzpeter (2020). Farmed fishes: Why so many? Fish welfare: why so late? In Fish welfare in aquaculture - Problems and approaches, ed. Billo Heinzpeter Studer, 4-9. Germany: IGN - International Society of Livestock Husbandry.
Volstorf, Jenny (2020). Knowledge as prerequisite for fish welfare — FishEthoBase as a basis. In Fish welfare in aquaculture - Problems and approaches, ed. Billo Heinzpeter Studer, 45-55. Germany: IGN - International Society of Livestock Husbandry.
2019
Saraiva, João L., Pablo Arechavala-Lopez, Maria Filipa Castanheira, Jenny Volstorf, and Billo Heinzpeter Studer (2019). A Global Assessment of Welfare in Farmed Fishes: The Fishethobase. Fishes 4(2), 30: 1-18. doi:10.3390/fishes4020030
Internally-reviewed
This is a chronological list of our major releases on the
2025
Method: Purse seinesNEW: Dossier
Species: Oncorhynchus mykissMajor update: Advice | farm
Species: Oreochromis niloticus x O. aureusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Scomber scombrusNEW: WelfareCheck | catch (x Purse seines)
2024
Species: Penaeus vannameiMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Oreochromis aureusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Oreochromis niloticusMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Merluccius merlucciusNEW: WelfareCheck | catch (x Set nets)
Species: Micropterus salmoidesMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Micropterus salmoidesNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Channa argusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Scomber coliasNEW: WelfareCheck | catch (x Purse seines)
2023
Species: Perca fluviatilisMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Esox luciusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Clupea harengusNEW: WelfareCheck | catch (x Purse seines)
Species: Engraulis ringensNEW: WelfareCheck | catch (x Purse seines)
Species: Barbonymus schwanenfeldiiMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Cyprinus carpioMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Salmo salarMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Osteobrama belangeriMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
2022
Species: Papyrocranus aferNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Osteochilus vittatusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Protosalanx chinensisNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Oncorhynchus mykissMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Luciobarbus callensisNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Sparus aurataMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Leptobarbus hoeveniiNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Cirrhinus molitorellaNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Dicentrarchus labraxMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Cirrhinus microlepisNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Tachysurus dumeriliNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Ameiurus melasNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Barbonymus schwanenfeldiiNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Osteobrama belangeriNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Arapaima gigasNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Ictalurus punctatusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Labeo calbasuNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Chanos chanosNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Tachysurus sinensisNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
2021
Species: Carassius carassiusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Misgurnus anguillicaudatusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Barbonymus gonionotusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Megalobrama amblycephalaNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Silurus asotusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Huso husoNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Huso dauricusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Hypophthalmichthys molitrixNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Hypophthalmichthys nobilisNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Mylopharyngodon piceusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Salmo carpioNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Oncorhynchus tshawytschaNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Labeo rohitaNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Oncorhynchus kisutchNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Cirrhinus mrigalaNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Labeo catlaNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
2020
Species: Lutjanus johniiNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Lutjanus argentimaculatusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Lutjanus erythropterusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Salmo truttaNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Morone saxatilisNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Sepia officinalisNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Osphronemus goramyNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
2019
Species: Octopus mayaNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Pangasianodon hypophthalmusNEW: Advice | farm
Species: Pangasianodon hypophthalmusNEW: Dossier
Species: Octopus vulgarisNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Cyprinus carpioNEW: Advice | farm
Species: Cyprinus carpioNEW: Dossier
Species: Clarias gariepinusNEW: Advice | farm
Species: Clarias gariepinusNEW: Dossier
Species: Epinephelus malabaricusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
2018
Species: Oncorhynchus mykissMajor update: Advice | farm
Species: Oncorhynchus mykissMajor update: Dossier
Species: Penaeus vannameiMajor update: Advice | farm
Species: Penaeus vannameiMajor update: Dossier
Species: Penaeus monodonMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Dicentrarchus labraxMajor update: Advice | farm
Species: Dicentrarchus labraxMajor update: Dossier
Species: Diplodus puntazzoNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Dentex dentexNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Pagrus pagrusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Perca fluviatilisMajor update: Advice | farm
Species: Perca fluviatilisMajor update: Dossier
Species: Sander luciopercaMajor update: Advice | farm
Species: Sander luciopercaMajor update: Dossier
Species: Oreochromis niloticusMajor update: Advice | farm
Species: Oreochromis niloticusMajor update: Dossier
Species: Sparus aurataMajor update: Advice | farm
Species: Sparus aurataMajor update: Dossier
Species: Salmo salarMajor update: Advice | farm
Species: Salmo salarMajor update: Dossier
Species: BAExNAC, NACxBAENEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Oncorhynchus mykissNEW: Advice | farm
Species: Oncorhynchus mykissNEW: Dossier
Species: Mugil cephalusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
2017
Species: Acipenser ruthenusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Lates calcariferNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Polyprion americanusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Acipenser stellatusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Acipenser transmontanusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Argyrosomus regiusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Solea soleaNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Solea senegalensisNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Acipenser naccariiNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Thunnus maccoyiiNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Penaeus monodonNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Ctenopharyngodon idellaNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Gadus morhuaNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Hippoglossus hippoglossusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Seriola dumeriliNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Rachycentron canadumNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Clarias gariepinusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Pangasianodon hypophthalmusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Lota lotaNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Scophthalmus maximusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Cyprinus carpioNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Acipenser gueldenstaedtiiNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Thymallus thymallusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Salvelinus fontinalisNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Sander luciopercaMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Acipenser baeriiNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Penaeus vannameiNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Dicentrarchus labraxNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Oncorhynchus masouNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Seriola lalandiNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Salvelinus alpinus alpinusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
2016
Species: Oreochromis niloticusNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Oncorhynchus mykissNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Salmo salarNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Sander luciopercaNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Sparus aurataNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Perca fluviatilisNEW: WelfareCheck | farm
Species: Perca fluviatilisNEW: Advice | farm
Species: Perca fluviatilisNEW: Dossier
Species: Sander luciopercaNEW: Advice | farm
Species: Sander luciopercaNEW: Dossier
Species: Dicentrarchus labraxNEW: Advice | farm
Species: Dicentrarchus labraxNEW: Dossier
2015
Species: Penaeus vannameiNEW: Advice | farm
Species: Penaeus vannameiNEW: Dossier
Species: Oreochromis niloticusNEW: Advice | farm
Species: Oreochromis niloticusNEW: Dossier
2014
Species: Salmo salarNEW: Advice | farm
Species: Salmo salarNEW: Dossier
2013
Species: Sparus aurataNEW: Advice | farm
Species: Sparus aurataNEW: Dossier
General
How to use the FAQ?
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How do I navigate in the fair-fish database?
In the fair-fish database, when you have chosen a species (either by searching in the search bar or in the species tree), the landing page is an Overview, introducing the most important information to know about the species that we have come across during our literatures search, including common names, images, distribution, habitat and growth characteristics, swimming aspects, reproduction, social behaviour but also handling details. To dive deeper, visit the Dossier where we collect all available ethological findings (and more) on the most important aspects during the life course, both biologically and concerning the habitat. In contrast to the Overview, we present the findings in more detail citing the scientific references.
Depending on whether the species is farmed or wild caught, you will be interested in different branches of the database.
Farm branch
Founded in 2013, the farm branch of the fair-fish database focuses on farmed aquatic species.
Catch branch
Founded in 2022, the catch branch of the fair-fish database focuses on wild-caught aquatic species.
What is the farm branch?
The heart of the farm branch of the fair-fish database is the welfare assessment – or WelfareCheck | farm – resulting in the WelfareScore | farm for each species. The WelfareCheck | farm is a condensed assessment of the species' likelihood and potential for good welfare in aquaculture, based on welfare-related findings for 10 crucial criteria (home range, depth range, migration, reproduction, aggregation, aggression, substrate, stress, malformations, slaughter).
For those species with a Dossier, we conclude to-be-preferred farming conditions in the Advice | farm. They are not meant to be as detailed as a rearing manual but instead, challenge current farming standards and often take the form of what not to do.
What is the catch branch?
In parallel to farm, the main element of the catch branch of the fair-fish database is the welfare assessment – or WelfareCheck | catch – with the WelfareScore | catch for each species caught with a specific catching method. The WelfareCheck | catch, too, is a condensed assessment of the species' likelihood and potential for good welfare – or better yet avoidance of decrease of good welfare – this time in fisheries. We base this on findings on welfare hazards in 10 steps along the catching process (prospection, setting, catching, emersion, release from gear, bycatch avoidance, sorting, discarding, storing, slaughter).
In contrast to the farm profiles, in the catch branch we assess the welfare separately for each method that the focus species is caught with. In the case of a species exclusively caught with one method, there will be one WelfareCheck, whereas in other species, there will be as many WelfareChecks as there are methods to catch the species with.
Summarising our findings of all WelfareChecks | catch for one species in Advice | catch, we conclude which catching method is the least welfare threatening for this species and which changes to the gear or the catching process will potentially result in improvements of welfare.
What do we mean by "welfare"?
What if I have a question?
Try mousing over the element you are interested in - oftentimes you will find explanations this way. If not, there will be FAQ on many of the sub-pages with answers to questions that apply to the respective sub-page. If your question is not among those, contact us at ffdb@fair-fish.net.
Where is the FishEthoBase?
It's right here! We decided to re-name it to fair-fish database for several reasons. The database has grown beyond dealing purely with ethology, more towards welfare in general – and so much more. Also, the partners fair-fish and FishEthoGroup decided to re-organise their partnership. While maintaining our friendship, we also desire for greater independence. So, the name "fair-fish database" establishes it as a fair-fish endeavour.
Frequently asked questions
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