Welfare challenges specific to European sea bass in aquaculture and emerging standards for improving fish welfare in sea bass production.
European sea bass welfare in aquaculture has received increasing scientific attention as the species has grown in commercial importance. As with other carnivorous fish, sea bass have behavioral and physiological needs shaped by their evolutionary history as active predators. High stocking densities, inadequate environmental complexity, rough handling during grading and transfer, and inhumane slaughter methods all represent significant welfare concerns in conventional production. Progress is being made through industry-led welfare standards, including the Aquaculture Stewardship Council certification, which increasingly incorporates fish welfare requirements. The greatest welfare gains are possible at slaughter, where transition from ice slurry (which causes prolonged suffering) to electrical stunning represents an achievable and impactful improvement.