Mediterranean sea bream farms face winter welfare challenges as water temperatures drop below critical thresholds for this warm-water species.
Sea bream experiencing cold stress show reduced metabolic rate, feeding cessation, and immune suppression. Fish at the thermal minimum boundary experience chronic physiological stress. Disease outbreaks including pasteurellosis are more common in cold-stressed fish. The combination of cold stress and reduced feeding causes progressive body condition deterioration over winter months. Farm site selection for winter thermal refugia and management of feeding rates to match reduced metabolic needs are key welfare management strategies.