Pangasius catfish farmed in the Mekong Delta supplies a major portion of global white fish demand, but welfare standards are poorly developed.
Pangasius catfish are one of the most affordable seafood options globally, and their farming has transformed protein access in many countries. But the welfare conditions of pangasius farming receive minimal attention. Their physiological tolerance for crowding has led to extremely high stocking densities that, while not causing immediate mortality, create chronic stress and disease pressure. End-of-life welfare is particularly poor, with most operations using live chilling without prior stunning. The scale of pangasius production means that even modest welfare improvements would benefit enormous numbers of fish.