European sea bass is a premium aquaculture species farmed across the Mediterranean, with growing welfare science revealing stress physiology and welfare concerns in production systems.
European sea bass welfare challenges overlap substantially with other Mediterranean finfish. Stocking density is a primary welfare driver — high densities cause chronic social stress, increased aggression, and physical injury. Water quality management is critical; deteriorating oxygen and ammonia levels cause respiratory distress. Pre-harvest crowding and transport are significant welfare events. Sea bass are sensitive to light changes and appear more stressed under artificial lighting than natural cycles. Improved welfare outcomes are achievable through lower stocking densities, better environmental management, pre-slaughter stunning, and selective breeding for disease resistance that reduces antibiotic treatment frequency and associated handling stress.