Improvements in welfare practices for farmed catfish, the most common freshwater aquaculture species globally.
Catfish aquaculture welfare operates at an enormous scale with relatively limited welfare scrutiny, as the species' physical resilience has been misinterpreted as welfare tolerance. High stocking densities in pangasius production result in chronic crowding stress and physical damage that represent genuine welfare problems despite the species' hardiness. The development of welfare certification for catfish has accelerated as major importers have faced consumer pressure, but certification depth and independence vary substantially. Pre-slaughter stunning adoption is a clear, achievable welfare improvement that is gradually becoming standard in better-managed production.