European sea bass are farmed in sea cages in the Mediterranean with welfare challenges from stocking density, disease, and handling during production.
Farmed sea bass welfare varies significantly between production systems and countries. High stocking densities cause territorial aggression and injury. VNN outbreaks cause neurological symptoms and death. Pre-harvest handling without stunning causes acute distress. Welfare improvement requires species-specific standards addressing stocking density, disease prevention, and humane harvest that are currently absent or inadequate in most Mediterranean sea bass certification.