Tilapia are the most important farmed fish in sub-Saharan Africa, but slaughter practices in artisanal operations rarely include pre-slaughter stunning. Improving these practices at scale requires low-cost solutions.
Tilapia slaughter without prior stunning in artisanal operations causes prolonged distress as fish asphyxiate in air or struggle after gill cutting. The duration of consciousness during asphyxiation depends on temperature and species but can exceed 10 minutes. Improving slaughter welfare in this context requires approaches that are culturally appropriate, operationally simple and either free or very low cost. Percussion stunning requires only a blunt instrument and correct technique, making it the most feasible improvement at scale. Welfare interventions that work with existing practices and knowledge are more likely to achieve adoption than those requiring new equipment or disruption to established routines.