European anchovies are among the Mediterranean's most important small pelagic fish and their welfare in capture fisheries is relevant to millions of tonnes of landings annually.
Anchovy welfare during purse seine capture is significantly impaired by crowding, scale loss, physiological stress responses and slow death by oxygen depletion in the catch hold. As highly sensitive small pelagics, anchovies suffer acute welfare impacts in the time between capture and chilling. RSW (refrigerated sea water) systems reduce but do not eliminate welfare impacts.