Welfare Considerations of Triploid Fish

Aquaculture production continues to increase to satisfy global demand, and as such, issues relating to its environmental sustainability and the welfare of fish are becoming more prominent within society. Sterile triploid fish (possessing one additional chromosome set to the more natural diploid state) are in use in aquaculture and fisheries management to avoid the problems associated with unwanted early sexual maturation and genetic interactions between wild and cultured fish. Triploids are physiologically and behaviorally similar to diploids, although ploidy effects do exist. This review focuses on the welfare of triploid fish within aquaculture and fisheries management. The main conclusions are that triploids appear more susceptible to temperature stress, have a higher incidence of deformities, and are less aggressive than their diploid counterparts. However, considerable knowledge gaps exist in triploid physiology and performance; therefore, triploid requirements for water quality, nutritional requirements, stocking densities, and slaughter methods cannot be fully assessed. In addition, other than growth and survival, no information exists on the performance of triploids when released into natural environments, and this is of considerable concern, as triploids are commonly used in catch-and-release fisheries. These matters become more pressing with today's increased emphasis on animal welfare.