European sea bass face significant thermal stress welfare challenges in Mediterranean cage aquaculture as sea surface temperatures rise with climate change.
Climate change is transforming the thermal welfare landscape for Mediterranean aquaculture species. Sea bass farmed in shallow coastal cages during summer months are increasingly subject to temperatures that cause subacute thermal stress — reducing their welfare even when production continues. Adaptation strategies including offshore relocation of cages, seasonal production planning and selective breeding for thermal tolerance are all active research areas. Welfare auditing in warm-water periods should incorporate temperature records as a key outcome measure.