Carp are the most farmed freshwater fish globally, but their welfare in production systems is poorly regulated and often overlooked despite evidence of stress responses and sentience-relevant neuroanatomy.
The sheer scale of carp production means welfare improvements would affect an extraordinary number of animals. Currently, most carp are slaughtered using methods that may involve prolonged conscious distress — live chilling, asphyxiation in air, or ice water immersion. The research base for carp sentience, while less extensive than for mammals, is sufficient to raise serious welfare concerns. High stocking densities typical of intensive carp systems cause measurable chronic stress. Implementation of effective stunning before slaughter and improvements to water quality management would constitute significant welfare advances. The relatively low economic value per fish makes welfare investment less likely without regulatory requirements.