Atlantic cod aquaculture in Norway has struggled with welfare challenges including cannibalism, spawning disruption, and disease, limiting commercial success despite significant investment.
Atlantic cod welfare in aquaculture faces species-specific challenges that differ from salmonid culture. Cannibalism among juvenile cod at high stocking densities causes severe injury and death through tail biting and partial consumption of live conspecifics. Reproductive disruptors from light exposure during maturation cycles affects both production and welfare through out-of-season spawning that compromises adult condition. Disease challenges from bacterial infections and parasites cause chronic welfare harm in production cohorts. Developing effective management solutions for these welfare challenges would enable welfare-positive cod aquaculture that reduces pressure on depleted wild stocks.