Mediterranean sea bass and sea bream are major aquaculture species facing welfare challenges from crowding, handling stress, and slaughter methods in intensive marine cage systems.
Sea bass and sea bream welfare is an important emerging focus for Mediterranean aquaculture given the large production volumes and relatively underdeveloped welfare standards compared to salmon farming. These are active, stress-sensitive fish that show clear physiological and behavioral responses to crowding and handling. Live transport to traditional fish markets causes prolonged stress. Electrical stunning before slaughter is effective and increasingly adopted. Developing and enforcing species-specific welfare standards for Mediterranean aquaculture species is a key policy priority.