Meagre Welfare in Mediterranean Aquaculture

Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) are an emerging premium aquaculture species in the Mediterranean, with welfare considerations shaped by their large size and acoustic communication.

Key Facts

Meagre are among the largest fish farmed in European aquaculture, reaching 40-50 kg at maturity and 1-3 kg at commercial harvest weight
They are highly vocal fish that produce loud drumming sounds using swimbladder muscles — acoustic communication is a key behavioural feature
Meagre are sensitive to handling and crowding stress — their large size makes them particularly vulnerable to physical injury during procedures
Production is concentrated in Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, with annual volumes growing as market acceptance increases

Welfare Considerations

Meagre welfare presents unique challenges from their combination of large size, acoustic sensitivity and physical robustness. Their vocal communication suggests a more complex sensory life than many farmed fish, warranting precautionary welfare approaches. Chronic underwater noise from pumps, aerators and boat traffic in cage sites may interfere with normal acoustic communication and create stress. Their large size means that crowding during grading, health treatments and harvest creates greater risk of physical injury than in smaller species. Rapid and effective stunning before slaughter is essential given their size.

What You Can Do

Use percussion or electrical stunning appropriate to meagre body size before slaughter procedures
Minimise chronic underwater noise exposure in cage systems — site selection away from boat traffic reduces acoustic stress
Implement low-stress handling protocols for large individuals during health treatments to reduce injury risk
Monitor crowding density during seasonal operations and reduce density during warm periods when stress is amplified