The killing of farmed fish at harvest is one of the most welfare-significant moments in aquaculture; validated humane slaughter methods are available but inconsistently adopted.
Fish slaughter welfare has received increasing scientific attention following consensus that fish are sentient. Methods vary enormously in welfare impact: percussive or electrical stunning achieves immediate insensibility before death, while live chilling or asphyxiation causes prolonged distress. Consumer demand for higher-welfare seafood, expressed through certification scheme support, drives adoption of improved slaughter methods. Regulatory requirements in Norway and other salmon-producing nations demonstrate that industry-wide welfare standards are achievable.