Farm Animals

Farmed Pangasius Welfare

Pangasius (Basa) catfish are farmed intensively in Southeast Asia for global export, raising significant welfare and environmental concerns.

Key Facts

Vietnam produces over 1.5 million tonnes of pangasius annually for export
Intensive farming uses very high stocking densities in river cage systems
Water quality is a major challenge with ammonia and oxygen management critical
Pangasius show stress responses to crowding and poor water conditions
Certification schemes vary widely in their welfare requirements for pangasius

Welfare Considerations

Pangasius farming at scale involves significant welfare compromises through crowding and water quality challenges. Certification to higher welfare and environmental standards is the most accessible consumer lever for improvement.

What You Can Do

Choose pangasius from certified responsible aquaculture sources
Advocate for welfare standards to be included in pangasius certification schemes
Support research into pangasius welfare indicators and stress physiology
Reduce consumption from uncertified intensive sources
Engage with the complexity of seafood welfare certification when making purchasing decisions