Sea bream (gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata) is a flagship Mediterranean aquaculture species. Improving welfare standards benefits both fish welfare and product quality.
Sea bream welfare is compromised by standard intensive farming practices. High stocking densities cause chronic stress, with elevated cortisol suppressing immune function and increasing disease susceptibility. The stress of handling during grading, transport, and vaccination causes acute cortisol spikes. Sea bream are susceptible to skin lesions from aggressive interactions at high density, and fin erosion from abrasion against nets and conspecifics is common. Slaughter welfare varies across the industry — ice-cold water immersion without prior stunning is still widely used, causing suffering in a species that remains conscious for several minutes when chilled. Percussive or electrical stunning before ice immersion represents a meaningful welfare improvement that is achievable without major capital investment. Certification schemes in Europe are beginning to include sea bream-specific welfare criteria.