주요국 양식어류 복지 정책 비교 연구

A Study on the Comparison of Farmed Fish Welfare Policies in Major Countries: Focusing on the EU, Norway, and the UK

The international community has developed the concept of animal welfare to recognize animals as sentient beings and ensure a minimum quality of life. While animal welfare has traditionally focused on farm animals, fish have recently been included in welfare considerations due to their capacity to perceive pain and stress. The burgeoning field of fish welfare, particularly prominent in Europe, aims to minimize stress in aquaculture settings based on the acknowledgment of fish's ability to perceive pain and stress. Stress can compromise fish immunity, reducing productivity and jeopardizing seafood safety. Consequently, advanced aquaculture nations such as the EU, Norway, and the UK have formalized fish welfare standards throughout the aquaculture process. However, research on fish welfare in domestic aquaculture remains limited. As fish welfare remains largely unexplored domestically, this study investigates international cases where fish welfare discussions are active, examining fundamental concepts and standards. By comparing international practices with domestic regulations and policies, the study proposes improvements in legal frameworks and policies necessary to introduce fish welfare practices in domestic aquaculture.