European sea bass is a widely farmed species in the Mediterranean. Welfare challenges in intensive production include stocking density, disease, and slaughter practices.
Sea bass in intensive Mediterranean aquaculture face welfare challenges from crowding, disease, and slaughter without effective stunning. Ice slurry immersion without prior stunning is aversive. As sentient fish, sea bass have welfare interests that deserve consideration throughout production. Certification schemes including welfare criteria are needed across Mediterranean aquaculture.