Channel catfish and pangasius (Basa) are among the most widely farmed fish globally, with welfare challenges common to intensive aquaculture compounded by specific management practices.
Farmed catfish face welfare challenges typical of intensive aquaculture: crowding, water quality deterioration, and inadequate attention to slaughter welfare. Catfish are robust fish that tolerate a wide range of conditions, but tolerance does not mean immunity to welfare harm — crowding and poor water quality cause physiological stress and disease susceptibility. The global scale of pangasius production in Vietnam, where welfare standards are minimal, means billions of fish experience poor welfare conditions annually. Raising standards through certification and consumer demand is the most realistic route to improvement.