Gilthead seabream are a major Mediterranean aquaculture species. Juvenile rearing involves significant welfare challenges from first feeding through to sea transfer.
Seabream juvenile welfare is critical as early life experiences shape later health and behaviour. High mortality rates in larval and juvenile phases are common in intensive hatcheries. Skeletal deformities arising from nutritional deficiencies, crowding, or inappropriate light regimes cause chronic welfare problems persisting throughout production. Appropriate feeding regimes, optimal water quality, and careful handling during sorting and transfer reduce juvenile stress and mortality. Better hatchery welfare correlates with improved survival and production outcomes, providing economic incentives for welfare improvement.