Striped bass and hybrid striped bass aquaculture is growing in North America and requires attention to species-specific welfare needs.
Striped bass welfare in aquaculture is influenced by the species' active nature and sensitivity to handling. As predatory fish evolved to occupy large water bodies, confinement creates behavioral restriction that increases with stocking density. Handling for grading, vaccination, and transport causes acute stress responses that impair immune function and increase disease susceptibility. Water temperature is a critical welfare parameter — bass held outside their thermal preference range show elevated cortisol and reduced feeding. Welfare-conscious striped bass production requires attention to stocking density, water quality management, and minimization of unnecessary handling.