Aquatic Animals

Tuna Aquaculture: Welfare Challenges in Open-Ocean Farming

Farming bluefin and other tuna species is growing rapidly, but the welfare of these fast-moving, migratory fish in net pens raises serious concerns about stress, injury and disease.

Key Facts

Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tuna are among the most commercially valuable fish in the world
Tuna aquaculture often involves capturing wild juveniles and fattening them in net pens
Farmed tuna in net pens swim continuously in circles, a highly unnatural movement pattern
High stocking densities increase aggression, injury and susceptibility to disease
Slaughter methods for tuna often lack the welfare protections applied to land animals

Welfare Considerations

Tuna are highly active pelagic fish adapted to swimming vast distances at speed. Confinement in net pens prevents natural behaviours and causes chronic stress measurable in cortisol levels. Circular swimming patterns are associated with neurological and physiological decline. Crowding leads to bite injuries. The reliance on wild-caught juveniles also raises sustainability concerns that compound welfare issues.

What You Can Do

Reduce or eliminate bluefin tuna consumption given welfare and conservation concerns
Support research into humane slaughter methods for farmed fish
Back certification schemes that assess fish welfare in aquaculture
Advocate for stronger regulation of tuna farming practices in your region