US catfish farming is the largest freshwater aquaculture sector in the country, with welfare implications around stocking density, water quality and slaughter methods.
Catfish welfare in US aquaculture is an emerging concern. High stocking densities, oxygen depletion events (often in summer heat), and disease outbreaks from Columnaris and Aeromonas bacteria cause significant suffering. Slaughter welfare varies considerably - electric stunning before killing is more humane than CO2 narcosis or ice slurry killing. Handling stress during harvesting is a significant welfare challenge. The fish welfare evidence base shows catfish are sentient animals capable of suffering, warranting better welfare standards in production.