Greater Amberjack Welfare in Mediterranean Aquaculture

Greater amberjack is a rapidly expanding Mediterranean aquaculture species whose welfare needs are just beginning to receive scientific attention.

Key Facts

• Greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) is farmed in net-pens in the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, and Japan
• It is a fast-growing pelagic predator requiring high-quality feed and excellent water quality
• Amberjack are highly susceptible to capture myopathy from handling stress during harvesting
• Cannibalism in juveniles is a major welfare concern requiring size-grading management
• Welfare during slaughter — typically without stunning — is largely unaddressed in Mediterranean production

Welfare Considerations

Greater amberjack welfare in Mediterranean aquaculture combines the challenges of a fast-swimming pelagic predator with the specific vulnerability of this species to handling-induced myopathy. Stress during harvest operations causes muscle breakdown that is both painful and damaging to the fish, and the resulting flesh quality degradation creates economic incentive for improved welfare. Cannibalism among size-variable juveniles causes direct injury and mortality requiring active management through regular size-grading. Pre-slaughter welfare — amberjack are typically killed by suffocation or ice without stunning — represents the most urgent improvement opportunity given the clear evidence that these fish suffer during prolonged agonal periods.

What You Can Do

• Advocate for mandatory pre-slaughter stunning standards in greater amberjack production
• Support research into amberjack-specific welfare indicators and stress biomarkers
• Encourage Mediterranean aquaculture certification programs to include amberjack welfare criteria
• Choose seafood from operations with transparent welfare practices for high-value farmed species
• Support size-grading management requirements to reduce cannibalism welfare harms in juvenile amberjack