European sea bass is a major Mediterranean aquaculture species, and intensive production conditions raise welfare concerns around stocking density, slaughter, and disease management.
Intensive sea bass aquaculture creates conditions that conflict with the natural behaviour of this active predatory species. High stocking densities in cages limit swimming behaviour and increase aggression. Disease outbreaks in crowded conditions cause significant mortality with associated suffering. Slaughter without prior stunning in ice slurry is slow and distressing. As the evidence for fish sentience grows, the welfare status of sea bass in aquaculture deserves greater regulatory and consumer attention. Certification schemes that require lower stocking densities, vaccination-based disease control, and effective stunning at slaughter represent meaningful welfare improvements.