Atlantic cod aquaculture faces significant welfare challenges including aggression, cannibalism, and disease. Improving farming practices can substantially reduce suffering in this commercially important species.
The inherent aggression and cannibalism of cod creates severe welfare challenges in captive settings. Size sorting and grading — procedures that reduce cannibalism — are themselves stressful and injurious. High stocking densities exacerbate competitive aggression, causing chronic stress and injury. Disease pressure in intensive systems leads to widespread morbidity. Unlike salmonids, cod welfare science is relatively underdeveloped, meaning many farms lack validated welfare indicators or standardised assessment tools. Investment in cod-specific welfare research is essential if this species is to be farmed responsibly.