Gilthead sea bream farming is a major Mediterranean aquaculture sector with welfare challenges related to crowding, disease, and harvest methods requiring active management.
Sea bream welfare in Mediterranean aquaculture faces challenges common to intensive fish farming - stocking density, disease management, and slaughter methods - plus species-specific concerns including gill parasite sensitivity and developmental deformities. The scale of production means that per-fish welfare improvements represent significant aggregate impact. Evidence-based improvements in density management, parasite control, and low-stress slaughter methods are available and should be adopted across the sector. Consumer preference for certified welfare products can drive adoption of these improvements.