Tilapia is one of the most widely farmed fish globally with welfare considerations around high stocking densities, water quality management and harvesting practices.
Tilapia welfare in intensive systems is compromised by overcrowding that leads to elevated aggression, fin damage and chronic stress. Poor water quality causes hypoxia and disease. Harvesting methods including crowding and air exposure cause significant acute stress. The global scale of tilapia production means welfare impacts are enormous even if per-fish impacts are moderate. Certification schemes are beginning to incorporate welfare standards.