Yellowtail amberjack farming is expanding in the Mediterranean as producers diversify beyond sea bass and sea bream, with welfare challenges from this highly active species.
Yellowtail amberjack in high-density cages are unable to express the extensive swimming behaviour natural to this pelagic species. Repeated aggressive interactions at high density cause fin damage and chronic social stress. Handling during grading causes acute stress with elevated cortisol and physiological disruption. This species appears particularly stress-sensitive compared to sea bass, with handling-related mortality higher than equivalent procedures in sea bream. The expansion of yellowtail farming without established welfare protocols represents a welfare knowledge gap at an important production stage.