Channel catfish and Pangasius are among the most widely farmed fish in the world. Their welfare in intensive production systems deserves greater attention than it currently receives.
Catfish welfare receives minimal regulatory and consumer attention despite the enormous scale of global production. The physiological stress tolerance of catfish that makes them economically attractive for intensive production does not mean they are welfare-insensitive - it means stress impacts are less immediately apparent rather than absent. Disease outbreaks in catfish cause significant individual suffering. Slaughter methods in catfish production are rarely welfare-optimised. Certification schemes that include catfish welfare standards remain limited. Supporting their development and choosing certified sources where available are meaningful actions given the scale of this often-overlooked production sector.