Atlantic cod farming is a growing industry with significant welfare challenges from the species highly aggressive behavior, light sensitivity, and inadequate slaughter standards.
Cod welfare in aquaculture is a frontier area with significant gaps in species-specific knowledge compared to salmon. The highly aggressive nature of cod creates ongoing welfare challenges from fin and eye damage that must be managed through density reduction and structural enrichment. Light management is a welfare-critical variable affecting feeding behaviour, stress, and aggression. Slaughter welfare standards require development and enforcement — current practices vary widely and often fail to achieve instantaneous insensibility.