Aquaculture

Atlantic Salmon Slaughter Welfare

The method of killing salmon at harvest has major welfare implications — percussive stunning followed by immediate gill cutting is the gold standard, but many operations still use inhumane methods.

Key Facts

Salmon have nociceptors and show pain responses similar to mammals
Asphyxiation in air or on ice takes up to 4 hours to cause death
Percussive stunning causes immediate unconsciousness when properly applied
CO2 narcosis is aversive and takes up to 10 minutes to induce unconsciousness
Welfare-at-slaughter standards are now required for RSPCA Assured certification

Welfare Considerations

Slaughter is the most acute welfare event in the salmon lifecycle. Asphyxiation in air causes prolonged conscious suffering as CO2 builds up. Electrical stunning without immediate killing allows recovery and further suffering. Percussive stunning followed by immediate gill cutting or spiking is the most welfare-positive method. Consumer pressure and certification schemes are driving rapid improvement.

What You Can Do

Choose salmon certified to welfare-at-slaughter standards
Ask your fishmonger or retailer about their supplier's slaughter method
Support Fish Welfare Initiative slaughter method improvement work
Advocate for mandatory humane slaughter standards in UK aquaculture legislation