Aquatic Animals

Farmed Salmon Welfare at Slaughter

Slaughter methods for farmed Atlantic salmon vary widely in humaneness, with stunning effectiveness being the key welfare determinant.

Key Facts

Atlantic salmon are the most farmed carnivorous fish globally with around 2.5 million tonnes produced annually
Unconsciousness before slaughter is the key welfare requirement
Spiking (percussive stunning) and electrical stunning are the most humane methods when applied correctly
CO2 stunning is controversial as fish show prolonged signs of distress before losing consciousness

Welfare Considerations

The welfare of farmed salmon at slaughter depends entirely on whether they are effectively rendered insensible before killing. CO2 immersion — widely used because it is simple and cheap — causes extended suffering before unconsciousness. Transitioning to electrical or percussive stunning represents the most impactful welfare improvement available in salmon aquaculture today.

What You Can Do

Choose salmon certified to standards requiring effective stunning
Ask salmon suppliers about their slaughter methods
Support campaigns for mandatory effective stunning in salmon slaughter
Advocate for fish welfare research funding in aquaculture