Carp is the most farmed freshwater fish in Europe, with traditional pond systems presenting welfare challenges around overcrowding, winter management and slaughter.
Autumn harvest concentrates thousands of carp in declining water volumes as ponds are drained, causing hypoxia and panic responses. Live transport in low volumes of water for the Christmas market causes prolonged stress over hours. Home slaughter without stunning is common and causes conscious death. Welfare improvements are available — percussion stunning, electrical stunning units and improved transport water quality — but uptake is slow in traditional markets.