European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) is a major Mediterranean aquaculture species, and welfare concerns including crowding, slaughter methods and transport require improving industry standards.
Sea bass welfare in Mediterranean aquaculture has historically received less attention than salmon despite similar welfare concerns. Crowding stress, poor water quality and inadequate slaughter methods cause preventable suffering. The development of sea bass-specific welfare standards, monitoring programmes and improved slaughter practices would bring Mediterranean aquaculture in line with improving salmonid welfare standards.