Bait size is important. Rather than using the industry-popular grading boxes, Gollon Bros. uses panel graders that do not require fish to be handled manually, but allows them to simply swim through on their own, reducing stress, Gollon said.

Grading fish also allows fish to obtain equal shares of feed. With the absence of bigger fish bullying the smaller ones, all fish within the same tank will more or less receive similar quantities of feed, which in turn allows them to grow similarly as they are exposed to similar conditions.

Grading is a stressful event for the fish but if done effectively, grading is very safe and can be done without mortality. Proper setup, inspection and monitoring are key to ensuring a successful grade.

Handling fish is a necessary evil at all fish sites. There is always the risk of disasters, small and large, such as dropped or damaged fish during the event. There is also higher-level risk created by increased stress from handling that can leave the stock vulnerable to pathogens. The fish must be handled, but proper handling is essential.

Alongside environmental and social responsibility and food safety, fish welfare is one of four key pillars of the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification program built by the Global Seafood Alliance (GSA) in the U.S.