Striped bass and their hybrid crosses are important North American aquaculture species whose welfare is receiving growing attention from producers and certification bodies.
Striped bass welfare in North American aquaculture is shaped by their social nature, temperature sensitivity, and behavioral responses to handling and crowding. Best practice includes maintaining optimal water temperatures, avoiding extreme crowding during production and harvest, implementing gentle harvesting protocols, and ensuring effective stunning before slaughter. As a premium product, striped bass aquaculture supports economic investment in welfare improvements that can be marketed to quality-conscious consumers.