Striped bass and hybrid striped bass are important aquaculture species in North America, with welfare considerations relating to handling stress, crowding, and the stresses of intensive pond and flow-through culture.
Striped bass in aquaculture experience welfare challenges from crowding that conflicts with their naturally active schooling behaviour. Low dissolved oxygen events, common in pond culture during warm weather, cause acute stress and mass mortality. Bacterial infections cause chronic suffering and are exacerbated by high stocking densities and water quality issues. Species-appropriate welfare standards for striped bass should address minimum dissolved oxygen requirements and handling protocols that minimise acute stress.