Aquaculture Welfare

Pangasius Catfish Welfare in Vietnamese Aquaculture

Pangasius catfish is one of the most exported aquaculture species globally, produced primarily in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam. Dense pond production and long-distance live transport create significant welfare challenges for this widely consumed fish.

Key Facts

Vietnam produces over 1 million tonnes of pangasius annually for global export
Pangasius are farmed at extremely high densities in earthen ponds in the Mekong Delta
They are air-breathing fish that can survive in very low-oxygen conditions, enabling dense stocking
Welfare standards in pangasius farming lag significantly behind European finfish aquaculture
ASC pangasius certification exists but covers a minority of global production

Welfare Considerations

Pangasius in extremely dense pond systems show chronic stress responses including abnormal surfacing behaviour, reduced immunity, and high parasite burdens. While their air-breathing ability prevents acute hypoxic death, it does not prevent chronic welfare compromise from poor water quality. Slaughter methods for pangasius in many facilities do not include pre-stunning. The scale of global production means welfare improvements would benefit enormous numbers of fish.

What You Can Do

Choose ASC-certified pangasius where available
Ask retailers about their pangasius sourcing and welfare standards
Support Aquatic Life Institute campaigns for pangasius welfare improvements
Reduce pangasius consumption or shift toward certified alternatives
Advocate for international aquaculture welfare standards that include pangasius production