Striped bass and hybrid striped bass are farmed in tank and pond systems across the United States, with welfare considerations around crowding, temperature management, and handling in this active, migratory species.
Crowded striped bass experience chronic stress manifesting as elevated baseline cortisol, reduced immune function, and increased disease susceptibility. Temperature extremes cause mortality events in outdoor systems — striped bass have a relatively narrow optimal temperature range of 18-26 degrees Celsius. Handling during grading and harvesting causes scale loss and fin damage in this active species. Disease treatment with chemical bath treatments causes acute stress. Slaughter by live bleeding without stunning is standard practice in many facilities despite being the least humane available method.