European sea bass farming in the Mediterranean raises welfare challenges from crowding, disease, and the chronic stress of intensive production conditions.
Sea bass in intensive aquaculture experience chronic social stress from inability to establish territories in high-density conditions. Repeated handling during grading, treatment, and transfer causes acute stress with cumulative welfare burden. Aggression at high stocking densities causes wounds and stress in lower-ranking fish. Sea lice infestations, though less severe than in salmon, cause skin lesions and irritation. Pre-slaughter crowding and live transport for wet fish markets causes acute suffering before death without stunning.