Yellowtail (amberjack) are increasingly farmed in net pens, and their welfare depends on stocking density, water quality, and low-stress handling practices.
Farmed yellowtail suffer most acutely at harvest, when crowding, air exposure, and manual handling create intense stress responses. Pre-slaughter stunning with percussive or electrical methods can reduce suffering significantly. During grow-out, maintaining recommended stocking densities and ensuring adequate oxygen reduces chronic stress. Disease outbreaks spread rapidly in dense populations, necessitating proactive health management to avoid mass mortality events.