Milkfish is one of the most important aquaculture species in the Philippines, Indonesia and Taiwan, and welfare improvements across the production system are gaining attention.
Welfare concerns in milkfish production include high stocking densities in sea cages causing chronic stress, water quality management in intensive ponds, crowding injuries during harvest, poor stunning before slaughter, and stress from transport of live fish. Development of species-appropriate welfare standards and stunning protocols is at an early stage in Southeast Asian milkfish aquaculture.