European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), known as branzino in Italian markets, is a premium aquaculture species with well-developed welfare standards compared to many other farmed fish.
Sea bass welfare science is relatively advanced compared to other Mediterranean species. Key welfare indicators include fin erosion rates, cataract prevalence (linked to dietary deficiencies), wound and lesion scoring, and behavioural metrics including schooling coherence. Electrical stunning before slaughter is the most humane method and is increasingly standard in certified operations. Crowding stress before harvest is a significant welfare event requiring management through gradual density increase and minimised pre-slaughter crowding time.