Pangasius catfish farming in Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries produces millions of tonnes annually but with limited welfare oversight.
Pangasius catfish in intensive systems face chronic stress from high stocking densities, poor water quality, and limited environmental complexity. Harvesting involves crowding fish into progressively smaller areas as water is pumped out, causing prolonged stress, hypoxia, and physical injury before slaughter. The species is capable of sensing pain and responding to stressors. Welfare standards lag far behind those for salmonids despite high global consumption volumes.