Atlantic cod farming is a small but growing industry that faces welfare challenges related to the species' specific biological needs and behaviour in captivity.
Atlantic cod welfare in aquaculture requires attention to the species' complex social behaviour and strong individual variation in competitive ability. Fish at the bottom of social hierarchies in crowded tanks may receive inadequate feed and suffer chronic subordination stress. Spinal deformities, which are common, cause ongoing musculoskeletal pain and functional limitation. Welfare-conscious cod farming requires attention to stocking density, feeding strategy and early detection of deformity.