European seabass is a high-value aquaculture species with demonstrated cognitive and behavioral complexity. Enrichment approaches are being developed to improve welfare in intensive farming systems.
Farmed seabass welfare research has expanded as evidence of their cognitive complexity grows. High stocking densities associated with intensive farming cause chronic cortisol elevation, immune suppression, and increased disease susceptibility. Enrichment approaches being studied include current generators that allow fish to perform rheotaxis (swimming against gentle current), reduced feeding predictability to encourage natural foraging behavior, and provision of shade and structure in otherwise barren tanks. Group size management affects dominance hierarchy formation and associated stress in subordinate fish. Welfare indicators including fin damage, wound prevalence, abnormal swimming, and behavior during feeding can inform on-farm welfare assessment.