Halibut do not have the same ravenous appetite of salmon, apparently preferring to eat few but large meals. Trash white fish mixed with vitamins have been used but this has the related problem of disease introduction. The composition of commercial halibut diets has not been optimised but it is anticipated that growth rates will increase when the necessary components are understood, as seen in the salmon industry. Disease Halibut are susceptible to a range of diseases but are relatively robust with a well developed immune system. For the on-grower, halibut are susceptible to a number of parasites and diseases, sometimes the infestation being so heavy that the fish ceases to eat and may die as a result.
Atlantic halibut are susceptible to vibriosis but vaccines are available.
It is predicted that around 1,000 tonnes of farmed halibut will be harvested in the UK alone by the turn of this century. In comparison to the European farmed salmon volumes of over 500,000 tonnes including 30,000 tonnes from Shetland, it appears there is considerable potential for profitable growth. With the various technical and environmental limiting factors for farming halibut it is unlikely that major volumes are likely to be produced in the foreseeable future such that the market will be saturated and price adversely impacted upon. Copies of this Fisheries Information Note may be obtained here .