Aquaculture

Silver Carp Welfare in Polyculture Systems

Silver carp is one of the world's most farmed fish species and a key component of Chinese and South Asian polyculture pond systems, with welfare considerations relevant to millions of tonnes of production.

Key Facts

Silver carp is the second most farmed fish globally by volume with over 5 million tonnes produced annually
They filter zooplankton and phytoplankton and are typically farmed in polyculture with other carp species
China produces approximately 90% of global silver carp aquaculture output
They can grow to 30 kg in the wild and 5-8 kg at harvest in aquaculture systems

Welfare Considerations

Welfare concerns include oxygen depletion in high-density polyculture ponds during warm weather, crowding and injury during harvest seine netting, lack of validated stunning before slaughter, and transport stress. Their filter-feeding behaviour means they are highly sensitive to changes in plankton availability linked to water quality management.

What You Can Do

Support development of welfare standards for carp polyculture systems in China and South Asia
Advocate for inclusion of welfare criteria in carp aquaculture certification schemes
Support research into effective stunning methods for large carp species at slaughter
Choose carp products from producers with credible environmental and welfare certification