Striped bass and hybrid striped bass are increasingly farmed for food, raising welfare questions specific to this active, stress-sensitive species.
Striped bass welfare in aquaculture settings is closely tied to understanding their biology as active, pelagic predators. Unlike bottom-dwelling or slower species, striped bass require significant space, high oxygen, and minimal handling stress to maintain welfare. The conditions that compromise welfare — crowding, warm temperatures, low oxygen, repeated handling — are common in production systems not designed around welfare priorities. A welfare-centered approach to striped bass farming involves managing stocking densities that allow natural swimming behavior, maintaining water quality within the species tolerance range, minimizing handling events, and implementing effective stunning at harvest. Consumer awareness of aquatic welfare helps drive market demand for certified practices.