Yellowtail (Seriola species) are increasingly farmed across Japan, Australia, and the Mediterranean, with welfare challenges around crowding, disease, and slaughter methods requiring attention as production expands.
Yellowtail are athletic, fast-swimming fish that are particularly sensitive to crowding and poor water quality. Chronic stress from overcrowded conditions suppresses immune function and increases disease susceptibility. The welfare of yellowtail at slaughter varies enormously - some producers use humane iki jime methods while others rely on asphyxiation in ice slurry, which causes prolonged unconsciousness before death. As global production expands, establishing welfare standards before scaling is critical.