Sea bream is one of the most important farmed fish species in Mediterranean aquaculture, with welfare research highlighting density, handling, and slaughter as key concern areas.
Sea bream welfare improvements are achievable and increasingly economically justified — stressed fish have lower growth rates and higher mortality. Research has established clear density thresholds, validated behavioral indicators of welfare, and demonstrated the effectiveness of electric stunning for rapid insensibilization before slaughter. Certification schemes including the Aquaculture Stewardship Council are beginning to incorporate welfare criteria.