Atlantic cod aquaculture has been repeatedly attempted and largely abandoned due to welfare challenges including early sexual maturation, aggression, and disease vulnerability.
Atlantic cod in aquaculture systems experience welfare challenges specific to their ecological adaptations as cold-water, mobile predators. The tendency of male cod to reach sexual maturity at 2 years diverts energy from growth and triggers intense agonistic behaviour that causes injury and stress in crowded systems. The cod's preference for cool, oxygen-rich water means that summer temperature rises in coastal cage systems can cause chronic thermal stress. Disease susceptibility in captive conditions has resulted in repeated welfare crises in commercial operations.