Gilthead sea bream is one of the most important farmed fish in the Mediterranean, with growing welfare science identifying key challenges from stocking density to slaughter that need addressing.
Sea bream welfare science has advanced significantly over the past decade, identifying stocking density, slaughter method, and disease management as the most impactful welfare determinants. The Mediterranean sea bream industry operates under EU animal welfare regulations that increasingly require evidence of species-appropriate care, but enforcement is inconsistent across producing countries. Consumer pressure channeled through certification schemes represents the most reliable mechanism for raising welfare standards throughout the supply chain.