Aquaculture Welfare

Farmed Cod Welfare in Aquaculture

Atlantic cod farming has expanded in Norway and Iceland, bringing specific welfare challenges related to cod biology, cannibalism, and environmental requirements.

Key Facts

Cod are cannibalistic and size sorting is essential to prevent injury and mortality
Cod require cooler water temperatures than many other farmed species
Spawning behaviour in captivity causes welfare problems including aggression
Sea lice affect cod as well as salmon, requiring treatment
Cod aggregate naturally at certain seasons which needs to be managed in captive settings

Welfare Considerations

Farmed cod face challenges including cannibalism from mixed size groups, aggression during spawning, and stress from high stocking densities. Their requirement for cold oxygenated water means welfare can deteriorate rapidly in warm spells. Knowledge of cod welfare needs is less advanced than for salmon and trout, meaning many farms operate without species-specific welfare guidelines.

What You Can Do

Choose cod with MSC certification or from farms meeting high welfare standards
Support welfare research specifically focused on gadoid fish
Advocate for species-specific welfare guidelines for cod aquaculture
Reduce consumption of farmed cod where welfare standards are unclear
Ask retailers about welfare standards in their cod supply chains