Fish health and fish welfare in aquaculture have received increasingly greater attention from both governments, organizations and the industry itself. If neglected we will see negative consequences both for the fish and the farms production potential. The Animal Control Act shall ensure that the instinct and natural behavior is taken into account in such a way that animals are not inflicted suffering. Moreover, disease problems in a farm will directly affect the economy of the farmer. It is therefore in everyone’s interests that the fish is ensured a good farming environment where fish health and fish welfare are taken seriously.

Farmed fish, like wild fish, are vulnerable to infection pressure. The challenge in a farm is that the fish density is much higher than in the wild. If the farmer lacks a good strategy for preventing disease outbreaks, or do not handle this in a good way when disease occur, large amounts of fish become infected. The result can be major mortality, premature slaughter and fallowing of the farming locality.

Certain diseases can also lie latent in the fish and break out because of poor environmental conditions and poor fish welfare. A stressed fish is more susceptible to disease outbreaks. Poor water quality and the physical handling of fish contribute to increased stress in a farmed salmon.

Generally good health
According to the National Veterinary Institute the health situation for salmon and rainbow trout in fish farming are generally good and the use of antibacterial agents is low. Although previously serious diseases are under control, more recent disease problems are an increasing concern. In the table below is an overview of disease outbreaks in the Norwegian aquaculture in the period 1997 - 2007.