Atlantic bluefin tuna are captured wild and held in sea cages for fattening before slaughter, presenting major welfare challenges given this species high physiological and behavioural needs.
Atlantic bluefin tuna represent one of the most welfare-challenging species in aquaculture. As highly active, warm-bodied apex predators, they suffer acutely under confinement - reduced swimming space causes stereotypic circling, aggression, and physical collisions with net walls. Capture stress during wild harvest is severe, with cortisol spikes measurable hours after netting. Starvation prior to transport adds further suffering. Slaughter quality varies enormously between operations. The combination of wild-capture stress, intensive holding conditions, and inconsistent slaughter protocols places this species at very high welfare risk.