Assessing fish welfare in small-scale commercial fixed-net fisheries off the Southern Portuguese coast.

ABSTRACT: Despite a growing interest in animal welfare in production systems, research on fish welfare remains limited, particularly in commercial fisheries. Fish caught in fixed-net fisheries experience multiple stressors from the time of capture to mortality on deck considered detrimental to their welfare. We examined the impact of bottom-set gill nets and on-board handling on catch welfare using behavioural and physiological indicators. Vitality assessments were performed on four commercially important fish species on-board fishing vessels through a devised vitality scale that included behaviours, morphological condition and reflexes as indicators of welfare. Physiological stress parameters (Cortisol, Glucose, Lactate and Osmolality) were evaluated in blood collected on deck and analysed in relat

SUBMITTER: Samel V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12714217 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature