Aquaculture

Gilt-head Sea Bream Welfare in Mediterranean Aquaculture

Welfare science for the most important farmed marine fish in the Mediterranean.

Key Facts

Gilt-head sea bream is the flagship species of Mediterranean marine aquaculture
Over 200,000 tonnes produced annually in sea cages across the region
Skin damage from sea lice and other ectoparasites is a significant welfare concern
Welfare certification for Mediterranean sea bream lags behind salmon industry standards

Welfare Considerations

Sea bream welfare in cage culture is affected by crowding, ectoparasite infestation, territorial aggression, and inadequate slaughter methods. Live chilling — the most common slaughter approach — is a poor welfare choice compared to percussive or electrical stunning. Welfare research is advancing and certification schemes are increasingly incorporating sea bream-specific criteria.

What You Can Do

Choose certified sea bream from producers with documented welfare standards
Support development of Mediterranean aquaculture welfare certification
Advocate for mandatory stunning before slaughter across all EU aquaculture species