Gilthead seabream is one of the most important farmed fish in the Mediterranean, with welfare improvements needed in crowding management, vaccination practices, and slaughter methods.
Seabream in Mediterranean sea cages face welfare challenges from crowding, predator netting interactions, and conventional slaughter methods. High density triggers chronic stress and immune suppression. During harvest, conventional stunning methods using CO2 or live chilling in ice water cause prolonged awareness during a distressing process. Electrical stunning followed by rapid gill cutting is a more welfare-positive alternative now being adopted by progressive producers. Handling during vaccination should use minimal stress protocols including anaesthetics where appropriate.