The slaughter of farmed Atlantic salmon raises urgent welfare questions about stunning efficacy and the conditions leading up to slaughter that affect millions of fish in major producing countries.
Pre-slaughter conditions for farmed salmon represent a significant and often overlooked welfare challenge. The crowding, oxygen depletion, and handling stress experienced by fish in the hours before slaughter cause measurable physiological distress. Stunning efficacy directly determines whether fish are conscious at the moment of slaughter — an ethically critical question given the scale of production. Industry adoption of validated humane slaughter methods, pre-slaughter handling protocols, and third-party auditing of compliance are essential steps. Consumer demand for certified welfare standards creates market pressure to accelerate these improvements.