Pangasius catfish is one of the worlds most traded farmed fish species. Welfare improvements in Vietnamese cage and pond systems have significant global impact.
Pangasius welfare challenges are concentrated in water quality management and slaughter methods. Poor dissolved oxygen and ammonia management cause chronic stress and disease susceptibility. High-volume pond systems trap fish in deteriorating water conditions during harvest. Export certification through ASC and GlobalG.A.P. has driven measurable improvements in water quality standards, though humane slaughter criteria remain a work in progress.