Pangasius (basa, tra) is one of the world's most widely traded fish, farmed intensively in Vietnam's Mekong Delta with significant welfare and environmental concerns.
Pangasius in intensive systems experience chronic stress from crowding, poor water quality, and handling. The species' natural tolerance for low oxygen conditions is sometimes used to justify conditions that nonetheless cause stress and suffering. Antibiotic overuse has driven resistance development, and fish treated with antibiotics experience the stress of illness that makes treatment necessary. The race to the bottom on price in global seafood markets creates pressure to reduce production costs in ways that directly compromise fish welfare. Certification schemes that include welfare criteria create incentives for improvement among producers seeking premium market access.