Florida pompano is a premium aquaculture species being developed in the southeastern US, with welfare challenges related to its fast metabolism, sensitivity to handling, and demanding water quality requirements.
Florida pompano's fast metabolism and active lifestyle make confinement inherently stressful. Handling sensitivity means routine aquaculture operations including grading and transport cause acute stress. The species preference for open water makes tank confinement welfare-challenging. As this premium species is developed commercially, welfare standards should be established from the outset rather than retrofitted after bad practices are entrenched.