Aquaculture Welfare

Farmed Cod Welfare and Deformities

Atlantic cod aquaculture expansion raises welfare concerns including high rates of skeletal deformities and optimal rearing conditions.

Key Facts

Atlantic cod aquaculture has expanded as wild stocks collapsed from overfishing
Spinal deformities affect up to 25% of farmed cod in some production systems
Intensive rearing conditions including high stocking density contribute to deformity rates
Wild cod populations are recovering slowly in some areas while farming expands
Welfare certification for farmed cod lags behind salmon welfare standards

Welfare Considerations

Cod with skeletal deformities experience chronic pain and impaired movement that affects welfare throughout their lives. Reducing deformity rates through improved rearing conditions and genetic selection is both a welfare and product quality imperative.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture welfare research specifically addressing farmed cod welfare
Choose cod from certified sustainable farms with quality management standards
Advocate for deformity monitoring as a mandatory welfare outcome in cod aquaculture