The method used to slaughter farmed Atlantic salmon has profound welfare implications for one of the world's most important aquaculture species, affecting billions of fish annually.
Salmon slaughter welfare has improved substantially in Norway following regulatory changes, but practices in other major producing countries (Chile, UK, Canada) remain variable. The critical welfare distinction is whether fish are rendered insensible before the killing step. Ice slurry without prior stunning leaves fish conscious during a slow death from cold and oxygen deprivation — a prolonged welfare failure. Percussive and electrical stunning, when properly calibrated, can achieve rapid insensibility. The challenge is ensuring consistent application at industrial speed on slaughter lines processing thousands of fish per hour. Consumer pressure, retailer standards, and regulatory requirements have been the primary drivers of improvement in this area.