Pangasius (also known as basa or river cobbler) is among the most widely imported fish in Britain. Welfare standards in pangasius farming in Vietnam and Southeast Asia are a significant concern.
Pangasius welfare is a case study in the difficulty of improving welfare in globally integrated supply chains. The fish is cheap, widely available, and consumed by millions of British households with minimal awareness of its welfare profile. Vietnamese pangasius farms range enormously in quality - from well-managed operations with reasonable water quality to highly intensive ponds with chronic water quality problems. The welfare case for pre-slaughter stunning is strong but rarely applied. Consumer demand for certified pangasius - and willingness to pay a modest premium - would create market incentives for Vietnamese producers to improve welfare and seek certification. Failing that, choosing alternative fish from better-regulated sources is the most straightforward individual welfare action.