Pangasius catfish farmed in the Mekong Delta is one of the world's most widely traded fish, but welfare standards in this sector lag far behind salmon aquaculture.
Pangasius represents a growing proportion of the global fish protein supply, yet receives almost no welfare science attention. Its tolerance for challenging conditions has led to an assumption that it suffers less — an assumption not supported by evidence. Fish welfare science consistently shows that physiological stress responses are present across teleost species regardless of environmental tolerance. As pangasius consumption grows in Europe and North America, certification bodies and retailers have an opportunity to drive welfare improvements through supply chain requirements. Consumer awareness of welfare gaps in this sector can create market pressure for change.