Control of invasive aquatic species including Asian carp, zebra mussels, and American mink typically relies on lethal methods that cause significant welfare impacts.
Invasive species management creates genuine welfare dilemmas where animal welfare and ecological welfare are in tension. Allowing invasive species to persist causes harm to native species populations and ecosystems. However, control methods including poisoning, electrofishing, and trapping cause welfare harm to the animals controlled. Welfare-aware invasive species management seeks methods with the lowest possible suffering per individual controlled, uses the most humane slaughter methods available, and invests in novel control technologies that could reduce suffering at scale.