The problem

Fish are now known to perceive noxious stimuli and to demonstrate behavioural responses characteristic of a painful experience. Thus, there is increasing pressure on regulatory authorities to safeguard fish welfare. Farmed-fish welfare legislation and regulation requires a detailed understanding of the relevant biology and ethical issues, as well as practical matters regarding welfare assessment and monitoring, and the economic implications of their implementation. 

Overview:

BENEFISH will:

• Collect and analyse datasets relating to four widely applicable operational welfare indicators
• Define relationships between selected welfare control measures and their consequences for production, quality and consumer perception

Case studies will provide the basis for cost-benefit analyses of potential welfare control measures and development of a decision analysis model allowing comparison between various welfare control measures on the basis of their biological and monetary consequences.

Contribution to policy development:

• BENEFISH will help policy-makers to develop cost-effective measures for regulating fish farming to meet consumers’ increasing expectations for animal welfare throughout the supply chain.
• A rigorous scientific approach to data collection and analysis will inform all parties engaged in the regulatory and decision-making process, thereby ensuring that all future developments within the industry optimise animal welfare.
• The project will help all interested parties to understand the welfare implications of key actions and procedures throughout the farmed-fish supply chain.

Project deliverables

• Project management handbook – April 2007
• Progress reports – August 2007, February and August 2008, February and August 2009
• A series of reports on risk factors associated with and prevalence of fish mortality, and other relevant issues – March 2008
• Comparative model of mortalities in intensive aquaculture – March 2009
• Final report and policy implementation plan – February 2010

Dissemination

• Project website – updated regularly
• Newsletter highlighting project progress – January 2010
• Submission of significant results for publication in international peer-reviewed journals – as needed
• Presentation of project findings at formal and informal, national, regional and international meetings – as opportunities permit
• Circulation of information on project via press releases – as needed

Technical information

Project acronym: BENEFISH
Project’s official full title: Evaluation and Modelling of Benefits and Costs of Fish Welfare Interventions in European Aquaculture
Research priority: Modernisation and sustainability of fisheries, including aquaculture-based production systems
Specific webpage: http://www.benefish.eu 
Proposal/contract no:044118
Start date: 1 February 2007
Kick off meeting: February 2007
Completion date: February 2010
European Commission scientific officer: Jacques Fuchs, Jacques.Fuchs@ec.europa.eu  

Coordinator: Dr John Dallimore
Name: Trans-National Consulting Partnership
Abbreviated name: TNC
Address: Grosse Strasse 19
22926, Ahrensburg
Country: Germany
Tel: +49 4102 679 584
Fax: +49 4102 679 585
Website: www.tnc-partners.com

Partners

Name: University of Glasgow
Abbreviated name: UGLA
Country: United Kingdom

Name: Norwegian Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture Research
Abbreviated name: NIFA
Country: Norway

Name: University of Stirling
Abbreviated name: USTIR
Country: United Kingdom

Name: Institute of Marine Resource and Ecosystem Studies
Abbreviated name: IMARES
Country: Netherlands

Name: Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute
Abbreviated name: FGFRI
Country: Finland

Name: Institut Français de Recherche pour L’Exploitation de la Mer
Abbreviated name: IFREMER
Country: France 

Name: National Veterinary Institute
Abbreviated name: NVI
Country: Norway

Name: Agrotechnology and Food Innovations B.V.
Abbreviated name: AFSG
Country: Netherlands