WELCOME

Fish Welfare: the Interplay Between Science and Ethics

Franck L.B. MeijboomEthics Institute &

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

Fish Welfare: the interplay between science and ethics

Ethics Institute Utrecht UniversityMission is to explore and clarify practical moral problems and to teach students how to reflect on the moral dimensions in their field of study. This involves both theoretical work in moral philosophy and applied studies.

Department of Animals in Science & SocietyFaculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht UniversityMission is to optimize welfare in animals through science, education and communication

Fish: Why welfare?

1. Many groups in society have concerns with respect to fish production and consumption

1. Many groups in society have concerns with respect to fish production and consumption?

Important, but….irrational + hypocrisy?

Fish: Why welfare?

2. The improved knowledge in biology

and physiology of fish

1. Many groups in society have concerns with respect to fish production and consumption

Fish: Why welfare?

2. The improved knowledge in biology

and physiology of fish

1. Many groups in society have concerns with respect to fish production and consumption

?Explanation for why governments, NGO’s, but also commercial partners pay attention to issues of fish welfare?

Fish: Why welfare?

3. Moral assumptions and ethical principles on how we should deal with and care for fish

1. Many groups in society have concerns with respect to fish production and consumption

2. The improved knowledge in biology

and physiology of fish

Fish: Why welfare?

3. Moral assumptions and ethical principles on how we should deal with and care for fish

1. Many groups in society have concerns with respect to fish production and consumption

Fish: Why welfare?

Without ethics it´s already difficult

enough

3. Moral assumptions and ethical principles on how we should deal with and care for fish

1. Many groups in society have concerns with respect to fish production and consumption

2. The improved knowledge in

biology and physiology of fish

Fish welfare: an interplay

Animal welfare is more than a biological concept.

It is not only related to the empirical question of what is constitutive for the welfare of fish. It equally raises the ethical question why one should be concerned about it. What makes fish that important that one should take their welfare seriously?

To answer this question an interplay between science and ethics is needed.

Fish welfare: an interplay

Ethics

Society

Science

Fish welfare: an interplay

Project on African Catfish

What is the state of the art in empirical research into fish mental capacities

Expert Meeting: an interplay

+

what is

the relevance for the discussion on fish welfare?

Day 1

What are the presuppositions in

terms of the moral status of fish and our duties towards fish?

+

What is

the relevance for science?

Day 2

Expert Meeting: an interplay

Thank you for your attention