FISH HANDLING AND WELFARE: A SUSTAINABLE WAY OF IMPROVING FISH PRODUCTION IN AQUACULTURE

Abstract

Fish is one of the most important aquatic animals of protein source to every household in Nigeria. Most of the fishes produced in Nigeria come from aquaculture. Behavioural and physiological status of fish handling and welfare are crucial in farmed fish. Thus, handling and welfare of fish becomes an issue of public concern. Aquaculture production practices such as movement of fish from place to place normally exposes fish to a lot of stressors, reducing rate of feeding and increasing mortality. Proper handling of fish in aquaculture practices will promote biosafety of food consumed in our environment if the source of fish and materials used in transporting fish is known. There is need for fish to be provided with proper animal management practices such as good water quality, adequate stocking density, good quality feed, protection from diseases, predation, poaching, and adequate materials for fish transportation. Therefore, the paper reviewed the effects of fish handling and welfare on varying areas of fish production and practices, and ways of ensuring effective fish handling and welfare for improved fish production.