Common carp are the most farmed fish species globally, and improving welfare standards in carp aquaculture — from water quality to humane slaughter — could benefit billions of fish annually.
Common carp represent one of the most significant welfare gaps in global aquaculture regulation. Despite being the most farmed fish by volume, welfare standards for carp are minimal compared to those developing for salmon and trout. The vast majority of farmed carp are killed without any form of stunning, experiencing prolonged consciousness during slaughter. Water quality in some carp polyculture systems falls far below welfare-protective standards. The potential welfare improvement from extending basic welfare standards — humane slaughter, water quality monitoring, density limits — to carp production would benefit more fish than any other single aquaculture intervention given the scale of production. This represents a high-priority area for welfare advocacy precisely because of the enormous numbers involved and the current regulatory vacuum.