Light management in sea bass aquaculture affects welfare through circadian rhythm regulation, feeding behaviour, and growth hormone release.
Sea bass welfare is affected by light management through its regulation of circadian biology. Circadian rhythms coordinate feeding, hormone release, immune function, and rest. Artificial light management that disrupts natural light-dark cycles impairs these coordinated biological processes. Welfare-conscious light management provides natural light-dark cycles where possible, avoiding constant light or inappropriate photoperiod extension. Light intensity that exceeds welfare thresholds causes chronic stress. The simplest welfare-positive light management maintains natural photoperiod cycles and avoids constant artificial illumination.