Cobia is a fast-growing tropical fish increasingly farmed in offshore cage systems. Its active nature and open-water biology create distinctive welfare challenges.
Cobia welfare in offshore aquaculture is affected by the dynamic environment of open-water cages and the species active behavioural ecology. Cage fouling reducing water exchange increases ammonia and reduces oxygen, causing stress in this high-metabolic species. Handling during harvest brings active, strong fish into crowded conditions causing physical injury. Pre-slaughter stunning adoption is limited. Welfare standards for this emerging species require development drawing on indicator frameworks applied to comparable active finfish.