Comparison of available stunning methods for European sea bass provides guidance for welfare-optimal slaughter practice in Mediterranean aquaculture.
Comparative welfare assessment of sea bass slaughter methods reveals wide variation in humaneness. CO2 immersion, widely used due to operational simplicity, is among the most welfare-compromising options, causing prolonged avoidance behaviour and aversive physiological responses before unconsciousness. Percussive and electrical stunning render fish unconscious within seconds, dramatically reducing pre-death suffering. The welfare improvement from adopting percussive or electrical stunning over CO2 is one of the most impactful and readily achievable welfare advances available to Mediterranean sea bass producers. Market and regulatory pressure are both driving this transition.