The transport of live fish between hatcheries, grow-out sites, and slaughter locations involves complex welfare challenges that are often inadequately managed in commercial aquaculture systems.
Fish in transport experience the cascade of crowding, oxygen competition, physical contact stress, and water quality deterioration simultaneously. The journey can span many hours, with stress accumulating throughout. Sedation significantly reduces the physiological and behavioral stress response, but is not universally adopted due to cost and regulatory restrictions on sedative use.