Promoting Fish Welfare: Nutritional Approaches for Immune Enhancement

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, the importance of promoting fish welfare in aquaculture has been more widely recognized. Hence, improving the immune capacity of fish is of paramount importance, not only protecting individual health but also contributing to population fitness, resilience, and productivity through herd immunity. Nutritional approaches are a promising strategy used for enhancing immune function and antioxidant capacities in fish.

The formulation of balanced diets supplemented with nutrients/vitamins tailored to the specific needs of different fish species and life stages is key to modulating immune responses and boosting resistance to stressors and infection.

Probiotics and prebiotics are also valuable supplements for promoting fish health and welfare since they modulate gut microbiota, support a healthy intestinal environment, and bolster immune defenses. They also enhance nutrient absorption, reduce pathogen colonization, and stimulate mucosal immunity.

Natural compounds, such as β-glucans and plant or seaweed extracts, have immunomodulatory properties, activating innate immune mechanisms and priming adaptive responses. The inclusion of these bioactive compounds in fish feeds enhances disease resistance and survival rates, particularly during periods of stress or disease.

Overall, promoting fish welfare through nutritional immunomodulation is not only ethical but essential for sustainable aquaculture and fishery management. This can be achieved by optimizing feed formulations, incorporating probiotics and prebiotics, and developing compounds with immunostimulant properties.

Dr. Maria João Peixoto
Guest Editor

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• fish welfare
• immune capacity
• immunonutrition
• probiotics and prebiotics
• natural compounds
• sustainability