Basa (Pangasius hypophthalmus) is one of the most widely consumed white fish globally, produced in large cage operations on the Mekong River, with welfare concerns related to high stocking density and pollution from river cage culture.
Pangasius in commercial river cage culture experience chronic crowding at densities that prevent normal swimming behaviour and increase disease risk. The species' air-breathing ability has been used to justify lower oxygen standards, but this adaptation does not eliminate welfare harm from chronic hypoxia. Disease management has historically relied heavily on antibiotics, raising welfare concerns about untreated or undertreated disease. Certification improvements have raised standards in the export sector, but the gap between certified and uncertified production remains significant. Consumer purchasing from certified sources creates market incentives for welfare improvement.