Pangasius (Basa/Tra catfish) from Vietnam are among the most internationally traded farmed fish, and their welfare across extended supply chains raises important consumer considerations.
Pangasius welfare across global supply chains illustrates the challenge of ensuring welfare standards for low-cost, high-volume aquaculture products. Their hardiness means they survive conditions that would be lethal to salmon, but survival and welfare are different standards. Welfare improvements including stocking density limits, water quality monitoring, and pre-slaughter stunning are achievable for pangasius at relatively low cost given the species tolerance. The long supply chains from Vietnamese farms to European and North American retailers create transparency challenges that certification bodies are beginning to address. Consumer demand for welfare verification creates market incentives for producers to adopt improved practices.