Aquaculture

Gilthead Seabream Welfare in Turkish Aquaculture

Turkey is one of the world's largest producers of gilthead seabream and improving welfare standards across Turkish aquaculture is increasingly linked to export market competitiveness.

Key Facts

Turkey produces over 100,000 tonnes of gilthead seabream annually, making it the world's largest producer
Production is concentrated in Aegean and Mediterranean sea cages and some inland RAS systems
Turkey exports significant quantities to EU markets, particularly to Italy, Spain and France
Turkish seabream aquaculture has expanded rapidly since the 1990s

Welfare Considerations

Welfare concerns in Turkish seabream aquaculture include high stocking densities in sea cages, sea lice infestations requiring treatment, handling stress during grading, and inconsistent stunning practices at slaughter. EU export markets increasingly demand welfare and sustainability certification. Turkish producers are investing in welfare improvements linked to GlobalGAP and ASC certification.

What You Can Do

Choose gilthead seabream certified under ASC or GlobalGAP from Turkish producers
Ask seafood retailers about welfare standards for seabream sourced from Turkey
Support development of species-specific welfare standards for Turkish marine finfish aquaculture
Advocate for welfare criteria in EU import standards for Mediterranean aquaculture species