Meagre Welfare in Mediterranean Aquaculture: An Emerging Species

Meagre is an increasingly farmed Mediterranean finfish with specific welfare needs around stocking density, sound sensitivity, and slaughter methods.

Key Facts

Meagre is one of the fastest-growing Mediterranean aquaculture species by production volume
Adult meagre can reach 20-50 kg making them the largest commonly farmed Mediterranean finfish
They are acoustically sensitive fish that produce and detect sound for communication
High stocking densities cause chronic stress, increased aggression, and fin damage
Welfare research on meagre is less developed than for sea bass and sea bream

Welfare Considerations

Meagre kept at high stocking densities show elevated stress hormones, increased conspecific aggression, and fin erosion. Their acoustic sensitivity means they may be particularly affected by loud noise from boats, pumps, and harvesting equipment. As a large, fast-growing species, nutritional deficiencies cause welfare problems more rapidly than in smaller farmed fish. Pre-slaughter crowding and inappropriate stunning practices remain welfare concerns in commercial production.

What You Can Do

Choose meagre from producers with welfare monitoring commitments
Support research into species-specific welfare indicators for meagre
Advocate for welfare standards to be developed alongside meagre industry growth
Encourage retailers to enquire about welfare practices from Mediterranean suppliers
Back EU aquaculture welfare regulation covering emerging farmed species