Edition #6

October 2025

Welcome to the Autumn 2025 edition of the EURCAW-Aqua Newsletter!

In this issue, we share highlights from a productive year of collaboration, outreach, and research dedicated to improving the welfare of aquatic animals across Europe. From new practical resources to international conferences and interactive events, EURCAW-Aqua continues to connect science, policy, and society to promote animal welfare in aquaculture.

NEW EURCAW-Aqua Factsheets Available!

These resources provide practical, science-based tools to strengthen welfare assessment and promote best practices across aquaculture in the EU.

Access the factsheets here: https://www.eurcaw-aqua.eu/english/

Upcoming Webinar – Welfare Indicators for On-Growing Rainbow Trout

Welfare Indicators and Assessment Tools for On-Growing Rainbow Trout

27 November 2025 |  10:00–11:45 CET | Online via Microsoft Teams

This webinar will introduce key welfare indicators and practical assessment tools for rainbow trout farming. Combining theoretical background with hands-on examples, it aims to support state veterinary inspectors and national competent authorities.

Programme highlights:

• Introduction to welfare indicators – Dr. Thanasis Samaras (University of Crete)
• Welfare assessment tools for rainbow trout – Prof. Lluís Tort (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)

Participation is free of charge, but registration is required: 

https://www.eurcaw-aqua.eu/welfare-indicators-and-assessment-tools-for-on-growing-rainbow-trout/

Strengthening the Dialogue on Fish Welfare – EURCAW-Aqua at the European Association of Fish Pathologists (EAFP)

EURCAW-Aqua was delighted to take part in the EAFP 2025 Conference in Heraklion, Greece, sharing our work and joining inspiring discussions on fish welfare.

A highlight of the week was our workshop session, where we introduced EURCAW-Aqua to over 60 participants, including representatives of national competent authorities and official veterinarians  our primary target groups. The lively exchange provided valuable insights and strengthened our network with stakeholders across Europe.

EURCAW-Aqua at Researchers’ Night 2025

On 26 September 2025, the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences (BCAS), one of the partners of EURCAW-Aqua, took part in Researchers’ Night in České Budějovice, Czechia.

Our program “Treasures Beneath the Surface: How Do We Recognize Happy Fish?” invited children and families to discover the fascinating world of fish and aquaculture. Through games, quizzes, interactive demonstrations, and even a virtual reality dive into a pond, visitors learned how we can tell whether fish are thriving – from body shape and colour to behaviour and water quality.

Engaging with the public and inspiring young minds is a key part of EURCAW-Aqua’s mission to raise awareness and promote fish welfare across Europe. 

EURCAW-Aqua at the European Aquaculture Society (EAS) 2025

EURCAW-Aqua was proudly represented at the European Aquaculture Society (EAS 2025) conference in Valencia, Spain, by Dr. Francesc Padrós, Professor at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).

Dr. Padrós showcased EURCAW-Aqua’s work on aquatic animal welfare, presenting scientific insights and practical approaches that support improved welfare practices in aquaculture.

Participation in this key international event provided valuable opportunities for networking and knowledge exchange, further strengthening EURCAW-Aqua’s collaboration within the aquaculture community.

EURCAW-Aqua at the Animal Protection and Welfare Conference 2025, Brno, Czechia

EURCAW-Aqua took part at the Animal Protection and Welfare Conference 2025 in Brno (2 October 2025). Our team contributed with two talks that reflect our mission to support competent authorities with science-based tools and knowledge:

1⃣ The EU Reference Centre for the Welfare of Aquatic Animals (EURCAW-Aqua): Activities 2025–2027

Presented by Anna Holčáková (Biology Centre CAS, Czech Republic)

2⃣ On-farm Score for Common Carp Transport and Harvest

Presented by Tereza Křesalová (Biology Centre CAS, Czech Republic)

Both presentations showcased EURCAW-Aqua’s priorities for 2025–2027, including fish welfare in hatcheries, transport, slaughter, and the development of positive welfare indicators, as well as the results of the Horizon Europe Cure4Aqua project.

EURCAW-Aqua at the Aquaculture Advisory Council (AAC)

We are pleased to share that Prof. Michalis Pavlidis (University of Crete) represented EURCAW-Aqua at the Aquaculture Advisory Council (AAC) Working Group 1 “Finfish” meeting on 14 October in Brussels.

He presented the Centre’s current activities and upcoming priorities in the area of fish welfare, contributing to discussions on aquaculture health and welfare at the EU level.

Through continued collaboration with stakeholders, EURCAW-Aqua aims to strengthen knowledge exchange and support evidence-based policymaking for improved fish welfare across Europe.

Reflection Board meeting

On 7 October 2025, EURCAW-Aqua held its Reflection Board meeting, gathering representatives from academia, NGOs, industry, and the European Commission. This meeting was an opportunity for the stakeholders to engage and reflect on the activities to be conducted by the eurcaw.

During the meeting, Prof. Michalis Pavlidis (University of Crete) presented the new EURCAW-Aqua work programme for 2025–2027, outlining upcoming priorities and activities. Dr. Ivona Mladineo (Biology Centre CAS) provided a comprehensive overview of the main outcomes and achievements from 2024, including progress on welfare indicators, capacity building, and knowledge exchange initiatives.

The meeting reinforced the importance of collaboration between EURCAW-Aqua and stakeholders to ensure science-based improvements in aquatic animal welfare across Europe.

EURCAWs Meeting with National Reference Centres (NRCs) and Support Bodies (SBs)

On 15 October 2025, EURCAW-Aqua participated in the joint EURCAWs–NRC/SB meeting, bringing together all EU Reference Centres for animal welfare and their associated national counterparts.

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation and knowledge exchange between EURCAWs, NRCs, and SBs, identifying synergies and good practices, and exploring ways to enhance harmonisation and collaboration at the EU level.

EURCAW-Aqua shared its experience in aquatic animal welfare assessment and training, contributing to discussions on how to support Competent Authorities and promote science-based welfare improvements across Member States.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or HaDEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

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