Channel catfish farming is the largest aquaculture sector in the United States - welfare standards have historically lagged behind other species but improvements are advancing.
US catfish welfare exists in a sector where welfare standards have historically received less attention than in export-oriented aquaculture. The large scale of production - hundreds of millions of fish - means welfare improvements have significant aggregate impact. Crowding stress during harvest is particularly acute as fish are concentrated from pond environments into transport containers. Pre-slaughter stunning reduces suffering at the point of death and is technically feasible at scale. Developing welfare certification standards for US catfish would drive producer adoption of evidence-based improvements. Consumer demand for welfare-certified catfish in US markets is an important driver.