European sea bass is a major farmed species in Mediterranean aquaculture, with welfare considerations spanning crowding stress, disease management, and slaughter methods.
Farmed sea bass welfare is compromised by crowding stress, disease, and inhumane slaughter methods in many production systems. Sea bass are territorial predatory fish whose natural behaviour is suppressed in cage culture. Viral nervous necrosis (VNN) causes neurological signs including swimming abnormalities and mortality in juvenile fish. CO2 narcosis, widely used for anaesthesia and slaughter, may cause aversion and distress before fish become insensible. Percussion stunning represents a more humane slaughter method but requires investment in equipment and training. Welfare improvement in sea bass aquaculture requires both production system improvements and adoption of humane slaughter standards.