Atlantic cod farming has faced significant challenges including welfare problems from disease, reproductive behavior, and spinal deformities that affect large proportions of farmed fish.
Cod aquaculture welfare is compromised by multiple challenges that have together prevented the species from becoming commercially successful at scale. Social hierarchy issues mean subordinate fish are systematically excluded from feeding access, creating chronic nutritional deficiency. High rates of skeletal deformities indicate developmental problems related to nutrition, water quality, or genetic factors that cause lasting physical welfare compromise. Disease susceptibility requires heavy management interventions. The winter reproductive season causes behavioral disruption and appetite suppression. These compound welfare challenges, combined with economic difficulties, have led most producers to exit cod farming. Research continues into management and genetic approaches that might address these welfare problems.