The method of stunning fish before slaughter profoundly affects their welfare at death, with significant variation between species and between common industry practices.
Fish slaughter welfare is one of the most significant and neglected animal welfare issues globally. Billions of fish are killed annually in conditions that would be considered unacceptable for mammals. The challenge is compounded by species diversity: fish differ enormously in their neuroanatomy, and stunning methods must be validated for each species. The transition to universal pre-slaughter stunning requires both regulatory change and industry investment. Consumer pressure through certification schemes and informed purchasing decisions has proven effective at driving industry change faster than regulation alone.