Greece is a major producer of farmed sea bream in the Mediterranean, with welfare standards evolving alongside export market requirements and scientific research.
Sea bream welfare in Greek aquaculture has improved significantly through a combination of buyer requirements and industry welfare initiatives. Stocking density reductions and improved feeding management have reduced fin erosion and aggression-related injuries. Research at Greek universities has contributed to understanding of sea bream stress physiology, pain responses, and welfare indicators. Summer heat waves in the eastern Mediterranean increasingly create thermal stress in shallow cage sites, requiring management interventions including deeper cage deployment or aeration. Pre-slaughter carbon dioxide narcosis followed by slaughter is replacing live ice-slurry methods in export-oriented operations, improving slaughter welfare substantially.