Gilthead seabream is one of the most widely farmed Mediterranean fish species, with welfare challenges from intensive production similar to sea bass.
Gilthead seabream subjected to crowding stress show elevated cortisol, reduced feeding behaviour, and immune suppression increasing disease vulnerability. Sudden temperature changes in shallow Mediterranean coastal cages during seasonal transitions cause thermal stress. Handling during harvest and transport causes acute stress responses. Slaughter by asphyxiation on ice or in slurry causes prolonged suffering in an animal with demonstrated nociceptive capacity. The welfare gap between gilthead seabream and Atlantic salmon in terms of regulatory attention is significant given similar production volumes.