Our mission needs your support
Your generosity can help ensure that our vital work on behalf of aquatic species continues uninterrupted. Please consider donating today so we may upkeep and expand our online database!
fair-fish international association
CHF: CH68 0900 0000 8503 8259 6
EUR: CH51 0900 0000 9136 2602 9
BIC: POFICHBEXXX
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
Purse seinesNew: Dossier
Oncorhynchus mykissMajor update: Advice | farm
Oreochromis niloticus x O. aureusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Scomber scombrusNew: WelfareCheck | catch (x Purse seines)
2024
Penaeus vannameiMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Oreochromis aureusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Oreochromis niloticusMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Merluccius merlucciusNew: WelfareCheck | catch (x Set nets)
Micropterus salmoidesMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Micropterus salmoidesNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Channa argusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Scomber coliasNew: WelfareCheck | catch (x Purse seines)
2023
Perca fluviatilisMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Esox luciusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Clupea harengusNew: WelfareCheck | catch (x Purse seines)
Engraulis ringensNew: WelfareCheck | catch (x Purse seines)
Barbonymus schwanenfeldiiMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Cyprinus carpioMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Salmo salarMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Osteobrama belangeriMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
2022
Papyrocranus aferNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Osteochilus vittatusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Protosalanx chinensisNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Oncorhynchus mykissMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Luciobarbus callensisNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Sparus aurataMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Leptobarbus hoeveniiNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Cirrhinus molitorellaNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Dicentrarchus labraxMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Cirrhinus microlepisNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Tachysurus dumeriliNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Ameiurus melasNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Barbonymus schwanenfeldiiNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Osteobrama belangeriNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Arapaima gigasNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Ictalurus punctatusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Labeo calbasuNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Chanos chanosNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Tachysurus sinensisNew: WelfareCheck | farm
2021
Carassius carassiusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Misgurnus anguillicaudatusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Barbonymus gonionotusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Megalobrama amblycephalaNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Silurus asotusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Huso husoNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Huso dauricusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Hypophthalmichthys molitrixNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Hypophthalmichthys nobilisNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Mylopharyngodon piceusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Salmo carpioNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Oncorhynchus tshawytschaNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Labeo rohitaNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Oncorhynchus kisutchNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Cirrhinus mrigalaNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Labeo catlaNew: WelfareCheck | farm
2020
Lutjanus johniiNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Lutjanus argentimaculatusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Lutjanus erythropterusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Salmo truttaNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Morone saxatilisNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Sepia officinalisNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Osphronemus goramyNew: WelfareCheck | farm
2019
Octopus mayaNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Pangasianodon hypophthalmusNew: Advice | farm
Pangasianodon hypophthalmusNew: Dossier
Octopus vulgarisNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Cyprinus carpioNew: Advice | farm
Cyprinus carpioNew: Dossier
Clarias gariepinusNew: Advice | farm
Clarias gariepinusNew: Dossier
Epinephelus malabaricusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
2018
Oncorhynchus mykissMajor update: Advice | farm
Oncorhynchus mykissMajor update: Dossier
Penaeus vannameiMajor update: Advice | farm
Penaeus vannameiMajor update: Dossier
Penaeus monodonMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Dicentrarchus labraxMajor update: Advice | farm
Dicentrarchus labraxMajor update: Dossier
Diplodus puntazzoNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Dentex dentexNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Pagrus pagrusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Perca fluviatilisMajor update: Advice | farm
Perca fluviatilisMajor update: Dossier
Sander luciopercaMajor update: Advice | farm
Sander luciopercaMajor update: Dossier
Oreochromis niloticusMajor update: Advice | farm
Oreochromis niloticusMajor update: Dossier
Sparus aurataMajor update: Advice | farm
Sparus aurataMajor update: Dossier
Salmo salarMajor update: Advice | farm
Salmo salarMajor update: Dossier
BAExNAC, NACxBAENew: WelfareCheck | farm
Oncorhynchus mykissNew: Advice | farm
Oncorhynchus mykissNew: Dossier
Mugil cephalusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
2017
Acipenser ruthenusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Lates calcariferNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Polyprion americanusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Acipenser stellatusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Acipenser transmontanusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Argyrosomus regiusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Solea soleaNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Solea senegalensisNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Acipenser naccariiNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Thunnus maccoyiiNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Penaeus monodonNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Ctenopharyngodon idellaNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Gadus morhuaNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Hippoglossus hippoglossusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Seriola dumeriliNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Rachycentron canadumNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Clarias gariepinusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Pangasianodon hypophthalmusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Lota lotaNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Scophthalmus maximusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Cyprinus carpioNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Acipenser gueldenstaedtiiNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Thymallus thymallusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Salvelinus fontinalisNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Sander luciopercaMajor update: WelfareCheck | farm
Acipenser baeriiNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Penaeus vannameiNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Dicentrarchus labraxNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Oncorhynchus masouNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Seriola lalandiNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Salvelinus alpinus alpinusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
2016
Oreochromis niloticusNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Oncorhynchus mykissNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Salmo salarNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Sander luciopercaNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Sparus aurataNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Perca fluviatilisNew: WelfareCheck | farm
Perca fluviatilisNew: Advice | farm
Perca fluviatilisNew: Dossier
Sander luciopercaNew: Advice | farm
Sander luciopercaNew: Dossier
Dicentrarchus labraxNew: Advice | farm
Dicentrarchus labraxNew: Dossier
2015
Penaeus vannameiNew: Advice | farm
Penaeus vannameiNew: Dossier
Oreochromis niloticusNew: Advice | farm
Oreochromis niloticusNew: Dossier
2014
Salmo salarNew: Advice | farm
Salmo salarNew: Dossier
2013
Sparus aurataNew: Advice | farm
Sparus aurataNew: Dossier
General
How to use the FAQ?
Lorem ipsum
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
«