Atlantic cod farming is an emerging aquaculture sector with significant welfare challenges including disease susceptibility, handling stress, and the need for species-appropriate conditions.
Cod welfare in aquaculture is shaped by their ecological origins as active predators with complex behavioural needs. Crowded conditions lead to aggression, fin damage, and chronic stress. Disease outbreaks cause significant suffering. Research into appropriate stocking densities, environmental enrichment, and humane harvest methods is essential for welfare-positive cod farming.