European sea bass is farmed extensively in sea cages in the Mediterranean, with welfare challenges from stocking density, sea lice, handling and slaughter methods.
Sea bass welfare in Mediterranean aquaculture faces many of the same challenges as Atlantic salmon in northern Europe: stocking density stress, parasite burden, handling trauma and variable slaughter welfare. Sea bass are territorial fish that experience aggression-related stress at commercial stocking densities. Fin damage is a visible indicator of social stress. Slaughter welfare in Mediterranean sea bass aquaculture is less standardised than in Norwegian salmon farming, with significant variation in methods and outcomes. Consumer and regulatory pressure for improved welfare standards is increasing.