Gilthead Seabream Welfare at Harvest: Handling and Slaughter Practices

Harvest and slaughter of gilthead seabream requires humane practices to minimise the welfare cost of this final stage of production.

Key Facts

Seabream harvest involves crowding in sea cages then pump or net transfer to slaughter vessels
Percussive stunning followed by gill arch cutting is the recommended humane method
Current practice at many Mediterranean farms involves CO2 or asphyxiation
Seabream show avoidance behaviour during CO2 exposure indicating aversive experience
EU aquaculture welfare regulations under revision are expected to include slaughter requirements

Welfare Considerations

Gilthead seabream slaughter welfare remains an area requiring significant improvement. CO2 immersion and asphyxiation in ice slurry without prior stunning cause prolonged conscious distress before death. Percussive stunning achieves immediate unconsciousness when correctly applied and is readily feasible for seabream. The welfare improvement from switching from CO2 to percussive or electrical stunning is substantial and achievable. Market pressure from retailers requiring welfare-certified Mediterranean fish is one of the most effective drivers of slaughter welfare improvement in this sector.

What You Can Do

Support EU and national regulations requiring humane seabream slaughter methods
Advocate for mandatory stunning in seabream certification schemes
Back Fish Welfare Initiative assessment of Mediterranean slaughter practices
Choose seabream from certified farms using humane slaughter verification
Encourage major seafood retailers to require humane slaughter from Mediterranean suppliers