Yellowtail amberjack (Seriola dumerili) is an emerging aquaculture species in the Mediterranean with welfare challenges related to capture-based seed supply, crowding, and slaughter methods.
Yellowtail amberjack welfare in aquaculture is challenged by the species natural active, wide-ranging behaviour. Sea cage confinement restricts normal swimming patterns, causing frustration and abnormal behaviour at high stocking densities. Wild juvenile capture for farming involves significant stress and mortality. As an active predatory fish, amberjack require high food quality and feeding frequency to maintain welfare. Electrical stunning before slaughter is welfare-positive but not yet standard across the industry. Transition to closed-cycle hatchery production eliminates wild capture welfare concerns.