Pangasius is one of the world's most widely traded fish, farmed intensively in Southeast Asia. Welfare standards in this industry are highly variable and often inadequate.
Farmed pangasius welfare issues include extreme stocking densities in some facilities, with fish unable to perform natural behaviors. While pangasius tolerate hypoxia better than many species, chronic low oxygen causes stress and immune suppression. Disease outbreaks treated with antibiotics raise concerns about antimicrobial resistance and fish suffering during illness. Slaughter practices are inconsistent — some facilities use ice slurry stunning while others use inadequate methods. Certification schemes like ASC set minimum welfare requirements, but enforcement and monitoring vary considerably across the supply chain.