Live transport of rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus mykiss) and subsequent live storage in market: Water quality, stress and welfare considerations

In a European context, selling live salmonids in the market is unusual. In this way, the highest possible freshness can be assured. However, live transport in closed systems and the live storage in fish outlets can imply risks related to compromised animal welfare and excessive stress as well as possible mortalities. In the present MS we looked into the how present handling routines and water quality affected the fish (behavior, stress and welfare). Possible improvements of present routines are discussed. We are not familiar with other published papers covering such a value chain for salmonids.