Catfish is the most produced freshwater aquaculture species in the US — welfare standards are underdeveloped.
US catfish farming is concentrated in the Southeast, producing channel catfish in earthen pond systems. While pond conditions provide more space and behavioral opportunity than intensive recirculating systems, welfare at slaughter remains largely unaddressed. Electrical stunning methods exist and are used by some processors, but there is no regulatory requirement. Catfish demonstrate nociception and stress responses consistent with sentience. Extending welfare standards to include humane slaughter requirements would represent a meaningful improvement for hundreds of millions of animals.