Grouper are captured wild and farmed for the live reef fish trade in Southeast Asia, facing severe welfare challenges in transport and holding conditions.
The live reef fish trade imposes severe welfare burdens across the supply chain. Cyanide-stunned fish from wild capture suffer neurological damage and chronic organ failure affecting survival rates after transport. Dense packing in transport tanks causes oxygen depletion and crowding stress. Fish held in display tanks at restaurants often experience poor water quality, crowding, and continuous disturbance by diners. Grouper are sentient fish with complex ecological roles and documented pain responses; the welfare implications of the live fish trade are substantial. Aquaculture-produced grouper avoid wild capture welfare harms but still face transport and holding welfare challenges. Welfare reform in the live reef fish trade requires action across the supply chain from capture methods to restaurant display conditions.