Turkey is one of the world's largest producers of farmed sea bass, and welfare standards in Turkish aquaculture are improving alongside market access requirements.
Turkish sea bass welfare has improved significantly as export market requirements have driven adoption of welfare standards including lower stocking densities, welfare monitoring, and improved slaughter practices. Pre-slaughter stunning using ice slurry is standard but electrical stunning provides superior welfare outcomes. Sea bass are sensitive to handling and show prolonged stress responses after grading or transfer operations. Climate warming in the Mediterranean presents a growing welfare challenge as summer sea temperatures increasingly exceed the thermal comfort range, causing heat stress in coastal sea cages. Moving to deeper, cooler cage locations or developing resilient management strategies for warming seas is an emerging welfare priority.