African catfish farming is a growing sector across sub-Saharan Africa providing critical protein. Welfare considerations in this developing sector need attention as production scales.
African catfish welfare exists in the complex context of food security and rural development. For many smallholder farmers, catfish are a critical protein source and income generator. Welfare improvements must be integrated with livelihood support rather than imposed as additional regulatory burden. The good news is that welfare-positive management practices - appropriate stocking density, good water quality, humane slaughter - align with productivity benefits that make them economically rational for farmers with appropriate knowledge and resources.