Available through FAI’s learning portal, FAI Academy, and accessible globally, the new course empowers aquaculture professionals to improve tilapia welfare, boost farm productivity, and promote sustainable practices.
“The course is specifically tailored for fish farmers, veterinarians, and seafood supply chain professionals, providing practical insights into critical welfare areas,” explained Sara Barrento, FAI’s e-learning and aquaculture program manager. “Participants will gain hands-on skills to assess tilapia behavior, recognize welfare indicators, and humane slaughter methods, all grounded in the latest scientific research and best practices. Importantly, the course also addresses the widespread misunderstandings about what humane slaughter truly means, offering practical examples to help distinguish humane methods from inhumane ones. By advancing these practices, we’re not just improving fish well-being, we’re driving a more ethical and informed approach to food production.”
Topics covered in the new course include measuring behavioral indicators such as swimming and foraging using a three-score system, recognizing signs of pre-slaughter stress and adopting humane slaughter methods.
“This is more than just learning theory,” continued Barrento. “Farmers gain actionable skills to actively monitor and assess the welfare of their fish, allowing them to take control of welfare outcomes on their farms. Focusing on welfare enables farmers to enhance productivity, improve meat quality, and strengthen their farm’s reputation.”
This course is just one in a series of five online welfare-focused courses that FAI offers and together they form a core component of FAI’s ongoing Tilapia Welfare Project. This project is aimed at improving the lives of as many farmed tilapia as possible worldwide. By providing accessible, science-based resources, FAI is helping farmers achieve better welfare outcomes and establishing them as leaders in sustainable aquaculture practices.
“While this course is specifically focused on the behavioral aspects of tilapia welfare it is essential for welfare practitioners to assess all welfare indicators across the different domains: environmental, nutrition, and health,” said Barrento. “When all our courses are completed together, they provide a comprehensive toolkit for learners to become effective welfare practitioners on their farms and ensure their fish thrive.”
The Tilapia Behaviour and Welfare Indicators course can be accessed for free via FAI Academy.
