Professor Sonia Rey Planellas

Professor

Institute of Aquaculture Pathfoot Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Professor Sonia Rey Planellas

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http://www.stir.ac.uk/people/soniareyplanellas

About me

Dr. Sonia Rey Planellas was appointed as a lecturer in 2019 at the Institute of Aquaculture and promoted to Associate Professor in 2022. She has been working in the field of animal behaviour, physiology and welfare of individuals and groups of animals for the past 20 years. Her main expertise is on fish behaviour and welfare but has also worked with other species like marine mammals and crustaceans. She is now Programme Director for the Marine Biology program. She is also the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion lead for the Institute of Aquaculture.

Dr Rey research interests are on the convergent evolution of animal cognition and sentience through a comparative approach between closely and distantly related species. She studies 1) How behaviours related to animal personalities have evolved within and between closely and distant related species 2) How emotions like pain, fear, anxiety, or happiness have evolved from invertebrates to the vertebrates and 3) How the understanding of animal behaviour and the interaction with the environment can help to improve the welfare of the species under different contexts: from animal production to conservation purposes.

To this end Dr Rey uses standard behavioural tests and molecular biology to understand the underlying causes of behaviour and phenotypic individual differences as well as the interaction with the environment by looking at the different neuro-molecular pathways and gene regulatory networks involved with those responses. She also uses monitoring systems like sensors and sonars, big data and AI as a tool to monitor the behaviour of the animals in their environment, mainly for applied purposes (Precision livestock farming) but also for conservation purposes (protection of endangered species). Dr Rey research has also contributed to the development of Operational Welfare Indicators for their the use on fish farming.

Dr Rey has been and is actually involved in multiple projects like the past COST action on fish welfare, Aquaexel research mission, AQUISOST (MEC-CENIT: Towards a sustainable aquaculture), AquaGenomics (MEC-consolider: development of biotechnological tools for aquaculture) and two different INIA projects (MEC) first one on stunning methods for seabream and the second on the characterisation of behavioural profiles (stress coping style) and their impact on reproductive success in Senegalese sole.

Also a EU COPEWELL project aimed to provide a better understanding of underpinning mechanisms in the physiology, biology, and behaviour of fishes and their relationship to individual coping styles, environment and development. The over-arching aim is to improve fish welfare status across the EU (aquaculture, research facilities, etc). She was also involved as a co-researcher in a DEFRA project on salmon fin damage and a SAIC project (Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Center) on vaccination protocols on salmon cleaning fish.

Her current position is associate professor in animal behaviour and welfare.

Recent projects: She is work package leader on the TNA AquaExcel EU project, Principal investigator on the Innovate UK project on Next-generation automated salmon feeding to increase productivity and improve sustainability and fish welfare, co-researcher in two OP projects on fish and crustaceans welfare.

She acted as a co-researcher in a EU project on eco-intensification of European aquaculture named GAIN where the main goal of the task she is involved is to understand how Precision Fish Farming (PFF) can improve the understanding of the fish behaviour and to improve the general health and welfare of the farmed fish in different farming systems.

She is also a principal investigator in a BBSRC-ARCH UK project on off-shore aquaculture in salmon farming focused in how exposed environments will impact the fish welfare. Dr. Rey is now the TNA coordinator and WP1 leader for the EU HORIZON2020 funded project AquaExcel3.0.

She has supervised multiple undergraduate and master projects as well as several PhD students. She is supervising 5 PhD students under different projects studying behaviour and welfare.

If you are interested in working with us just send us a message, we accept PhD students.

Research projects (6)

AQUAculture Infrastructures For EXCELlence In European Fish Research 3
PI: Professor Sonia Rey Planellas
Funded by: European Commission (Horizon 2020)
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OP Validation of operational indicators of consciousness in tropical prawns (Penaeus vannamei)
PI: Professor Amaya Albalat
Funded by: Open Philanthropy
–

Offshore Aquaculture
PI: Professor Sonia Rey Planellas
Funded by: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
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AquaExcel2020
PI: Professor Sonia Rey Planellas
Funded by: European Commission (Horizon 2020)
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Health and welfare of lumpfish in hatchery production and deployed in Scottish salmon cages
PI: Professor Sonia Rey Planellas
Funded by: Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre
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Improving local management of tropical coastal resources in the face of climate change for economic wellbeing of local and vulnerable communittees
PI: Professor Sonia Rey Planellas
Funded by: The British Council
–

Outputs (69)

Book Chapter

Tilapia Welfare

Garcia de Leaniz C & Rey Planellas S (2025) Tilapia Welfare. In: Tilapia: Aquaculture, Biology and Health Management. CABI. https://doi.org/10.1079/9781800629455.0008

Journal Article

Changes in behaviour and serotonergic system of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fry related to different levels of black soldier fly larvae meal inclusion in the diet: Exploring the use of nutritional enrichment for its use as positive welfare in aquaculture.

Chivite-Alcalde M, Betancor M, Clokie BGJ, Elsheshtawy A, McDonald E, Ramírez-Rodríguez C, Pipan M, MacKenzie SA & Planellas SR (2025) Changes in behaviour and serotonergic system of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fry related to different levels of black soldier fly larvae meal inclusion in the diet: Exploring the use of nutritional enrichment for its use as positive welfare in aquaculture.. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, p. 106631. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106631

Journal Article

Precision farming in aquaculture: non-invasive monitoring of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) behaviour in response to environmental conditions in commercial sea cages for health and welfare assessment

Burke M, Nikolic D, Fabry P, Rishi H, Telfer T & Rey Planellas S (2025) Precision farming in aquaculture: non-invasive monitoring of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) behaviour in response to environmental conditions in commercial sea cages for health and welfare assessment [PFF in aquaculture]. Frontiers in Robotics and AI, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/frobt.2025.1574161

Article

Effects of simulated motion frequency related to road quality on the welfare and recovery of transported largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Yang Y, Narayan E, Phillips CJC, Rey Planellas S, Zheng L, Ruan X, Tegomo AF, Shih H, Shao Q & Descovich K (2024) Effects of simulated motion frequency related to road quality on the welfare and recovery of transported largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 277, Art. No.: 106342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106342

Article

Effects of stocking density during simulated transport on physiology and behavior of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides)

Yang Y, Narayan E, Rey Planellas S, Phillips CJC, Zheng L, Xu B, Wang L, Liu Y, Sun Y, Sagada G, Shih H, Shao Q & Descovich K (2024) Effects of stocking density during simulated transport on physiology and behavior of largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) [Transport in Largemouth bass]. Journal of the World Aquaculture Society, (e13054). https://doi.org/10.1111/jwas.13054

Article

Interactive effects of multiple stressors with significant wave height exposure on farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) welfare along an inshore-offshore gradient

Szewczyk TM, Morro B, Díaz-Gil C, Gillibrand PA, Hardwick JP, Davidson K, Aleynik D & Planellas SR (2024) Interactive effects of multiple stressors with significant wave height exposure on farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) welfare along an inshore-offshore gradient. Rey Planellas S (Project Leader) Aquaculture, 579, Art. No.: 740184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2023.740184

Article

Circadian rhythm of preferred temperature in fish: Behavioural thermoregulation linked to daily photocycles in zebrafish and Nile tilapia

Vera LM, de Alba G, Santos S, Szewczyk TM, Mackenzie SA, Sánchez-Vázquez FJ & Rey-Planellas S (2023) Circadian rhythm of preferred temperature in fish: Behavioural thermoregulation linked to daily photocycles in zebrafish and Nile tilapia. Journal of Thermal Biology, 113, Art. No.: 103544. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2023.103544

Article

Characterization of the different behaviours exhibited by juvenile flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758) under rearing conditions

Jimenez-Rivera JA, Boglino A, Linares-Cordova JF, Duncan NJ, Ruiz-Gómez ML, Rey-Planellas S & Ibarra-Zatarain Z (2022) Characterization of the different behaviours exhibited by juvenile flathead grey mullet (Mugil cephalus Linnaeus, 1758) under rearing conditions. Spanish Journal of Agricultural Research, 20 (4), p. e0505. https://doi.org/10.5424/sjar/2022204-18032

Article

Addressing the welfare needs of farmed lumpfish: knowledge gaps, challenges and solutions

Garcia de Leaniz C, Gutierrez Rabadan C, Barrento SI, Stringwell R, Howes PN, Whittaker BA, Minett JF, Smith RG, Pooley CL, Overland BJ, Biddiscombe L, Lloyd R, Consuegra S, Maddocks JK & Rey Planellas S (2022) Addressing the welfare needs of farmed lumpfish: knowledge gaps, challenges and solutions. Reviews in Aquaculture, 14 (1), pp. 139-155. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12589

Article

Exploring the relationship between stress coping styles and sex, origin and reproductive success, in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) breeders in captivity

Ibarra-Zatarain Z, Martín I, Rasines I, Fatsini E, Rey S, Chereguini O & Duncan N (2020) Exploring the relationship between stress coping styles and sex, origin and reproductive success, in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) breeders in captivity. Physiology and Behavior, 220, Art. No.: 112868. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.112868

Article

Cognitive appraisal in fish: stressor predictability modulates the physiological and neurobehavioural stress response in sea bass

Cerqueira M, Millot S, Felix A, Silva T, Oliveira GA, Oliveira CCV, Rey S, MacKenzie S & Oliveira R (2020) Cognitive appraisal in fish: stressor predictability modulates the physiological and neurobehavioural stress response in sea bass. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 287 (1923), Art. No.: 20192922. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2019.2922

Research Report

Farmed fish welfare practices: salmon farming as a case study

Rey S, Little DC & Ellis M (2019) Farmed fish welfare practices: salmon farming as a case study. Global Aquaculture Alliance. Global Aquaculture Alliance. https://www.aquaculturealliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/FarmedFishWelfarePractices_26_May_2020.pdf

Research Report

Farmed fish welfare practices: salmon farming as a case study

Rey Planellas S, Ellis M & Little DC (2019) Farmed fish welfare practices: salmon farming as a case study [Salmon welfare]. Global Aquaculture Aliance. USA. https://www.aquaculturealliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/FarmedFishWelfarePractices_26_May_2020.pdf

Keynote

The welfare of lumpfish

Rey Planellas S (2019) The welfare of lumpfish., Stirling, 27.05.2019-27.05.2019.

Book Chapter

Cleaner fish biology and aquaculture applications

Treasurer J, Noble C, Puvanendran V, Rey S & Iversen MH (2018) Cleaner fish biology and aquaculture applications. In: Treasurer J (ed.) Cleaner Fish Biology and Aquaculture Applications. Sheffield: 5m Books. http://www.5mbooks.com/cleaner-fish-biology-and-aquaculture-applications.html

Presentation / Talk

Behavioural fever in fish

Rey Planellas S (2018) Behavioural fever in fish [Fever in fish]. Pharmaqacademy, Inverness, 29.10.2018-30.10.2018.

Keynote

Fish behaviour in aquaculture

Rey Planellas S (2018) Fish behaviour in aquaculture. Societat Catalana de Biologia Congres, Barcelona, 03.05.2018-04.05.2018.

Conference Paper (published)

Assessing the Influence of Individual Variation in Coping Styles on Swimming Performance in Zebrafish (Danio Rerio)

Rey Planellas S, Mackenzie S & Planas J (2018) Assessing the Influence of Individual Variation in Coping Styles on Swimming Performance in Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) [Swimming performance in zebrafish]. In: FitFish Annual Conference 2016. FITFISH EU cost action, Belgrade, Serbia, 22.04.2016-22.04.2016. FitFish, p. 34. https://www.fitfish.eu/upload_mm/c/5/8/bc3a7541-dd20-4aa4-bbe4-f074612af4cb_FITFISH%20annual%20conference%202016.pdf

Commentary

The emotional brain of fish

Rey S (2017) The emotional brain of fish [Emotions in fish]. Commentary on: Woodruff, Michael L. (2017) Consciousness in teleosts: There is something it feels like to be a fish. Animal Sentience 13(1). Animal Sentience, 2 (13), Art. No.: 11. http://animalstudiesrepository.org/animsent/vol2/iss13/11

Commentary

Stress induced hyperthermia in zebrafish: a reply to Key et al.

Rey S, Huntingford FA, Knowles TG & MacKenzie S (2017) Stress induced hyperthermia in zebrafish: a reply to Key et al.. Commentary on: Key B et al. 2017 Problems with equating thermal preference with ‘emotional fever’ and sentience: comment on ‘Fish can show emotional fever: stress-induced hyperthermia in zebrafish’ by Rey et al. (2015). Proc. R. Soc. B 284, 20160681. (doi:10.1098/rspb.2016.0681). Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 284 (1847), Art. No.: 20162124. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.2124

Article

Differential responses to environmental challenge by common carp Cyprinus carpio highlight the importance of coping style in integrative physiology

Rey S, Ribas L, Capdevila DM, Callol A, Huntingford FA, Pilarczyk M, Kadri S & MacKenzie S (2016) Differential responses to environmental challenge by common carp Cyprinus carpio highlight the importance of coping style in integrative physiology. Journal of Fish Biology, 88 (3), pp. 1056-1069. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.12877

Article

Combining animal personalities with transcriptomics resolves individual variation within a wild-type zebrafish population and identifies underpinning molecular differences in brain function

Rey S, Boltana S, Vargas R, Roher N & MacKenzie S (2013) Combining animal personalities with transcriptomics resolves individual variation within a wild-type zebrafish population and identifies underpinning molecular differences in brain function. Molecular Ecology, 22 (24), pp. 6100-6115. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.12556

Article

Behavioural indicators of welfare in farmed fish

Martins CIM, Galhardo L, Noble C, Damsgard B, Spedicato MT, Zupa W, Beauchaud M, Kulczykowska E, Massabuau J, Carter T, Rey S & Kristiansen TS (2012) Behavioural indicators of welfare in farmed fish. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 38 (1), pp. 17-41. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-011-9518-8

Teaching

AQUU7MM: BSc Marine mammals field course_ module coordinator AQUPGV4/P4 MSc in Aquaculture: Animal Behaviour and Welfare CPD course on Fish Health and Welfare

Research programmes

Research centres/groups

Research themes