Animal welfare concerns at a fish farming operation in southeastern Brazil

Concerns for the welfare of fish during the farming/production process is in its infancy when compared to other species. This is due to disputes in the interpretation of characteristics that suggest awareness in fish, a concern that is somewhat widespread among consumers and producers. Through questionnaires, this study aimed to highlight what the members of a fishermen's association (that farm Tilapia and Robalo Peva) understand about the welfare of fish, and whether it is considered during the production process. In addition, although there are still many controversies, this perception has been changing in recent years, in part due to anatomical, physiological and behavioral evidence that suggest fish are sentient (are aware of sensations, have subjective feelings). Moreover, as the consumer has become aware of the issues, concern for animal welfare has increased, leading to a need for the market to adapt to these requirements. RESUMO Consideracoes quanto ao bem-estar animal em uma operacao de cultivo de peixes no sudeste do Brasil A preocupacao com o bem-estar dos peixes durante os processos a producao e processamento do pescado e embrionaria se comparada com outras especies, devido a existencia de controversias sobre a interpretacao de caracteristicas que sugerem a consciencia deles. Assim, atraves de questionarios, o presente estudo tem por objetivo, evidenciar o que os membros de uma associacao de pescadores, que cultiva tilapias e robalos-peva, conhecem sobre o bem-estar animal, e se ele e considerado durante o processo de producao. Sendo que, embora ainda haja varias controversias, essa situacao vem se alterando nos ultimos anos, devido a evidencias anatomicas, fisiologicas e comportamentais que sugerem que eles tambem sao sencientes (tem capacidade de ter consciencia de sensacoes, ter sentimentos subjetivos). Alem disso, a medida que o consumidor tem consciencia do assunto, o bem-estar animal tem se tornado uma preocupacao crescente, que conduzira a uma necessidade de adaptacao do mercado quanto a essa exigencia.