Florida pompano is a high-value aquaculture species being developed in the US with welfare considerations for this active schooling fish in intensive systems.
Florida pompano welfare in intensive aquaculture faces challenges from the species active, schooling nature. Like other highly active pelagic fish, pompano experience significant stress in confined culture systems that restrict their natural movement patterns. Handling during routine husbandry operations causes acute stress with prolonged cortisol elevation. Water quality management is critical as pompano are sensitive to dissolved oxygen fluctuations. Developing welfare guidelines for pompano alongside aquaculture expansion, rather than after establishment of intensive production, offers the opportunity to create more welfare-positive industry standards from the outset. Species-specific welfare research is needed to establish appropriate stocking densities and husbandry protocols.