Advancing Fish Welfare through Training, Research, and Sustainable Aquaculture Practices

The project collaboration between VETS UNITED and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), aims at transforming fish welfare education and training. The project, known as FLAWI (Fish Welfare and Aquatic Welfare Initiative), is a faculty-anchored, student-driven effort designed to close the gap in fish welfare knowledge across veterinary education, aquaculture practices, and farmer training.

This initiative will help to

1. Integrate fish welfare principles into the veterinary curriculum, training programs, and academic research
    
2. Train veterinary faculty, students, and fish farmers in humane fish handling, low-stress production, and best practices in fish welfare and slaughter
    
3. Establish a model fish welfare pond for hands-on student learning and live demonstrations for fish farmers
    
4. Student-led advocacy and engagement through the Animal Welfare Student Club to raise awareness on fish welfare across campus and communities

By embedding practical fish welfare education into the core of veterinary training at UNN, this project addresses a critical gap in structured animal welfare education—helping to shape a new generation of veterinarians and aquaculture professionals who are equipped to improve fish health, welfare, and productivity nationwide.