Catfish are among the most widely farmed freshwater fish globally, and their welfare during handling and slaughter requires greater attention than currently provided.
Catfish are often handled with methods that cause significant stress, including prolonged air exposure, crowding during seining, and slaughter without stunning. Their sensitive barbels and skin make rough handling particularly aversive. Research on catfish nociception confirms they respond to noxious stimuli in ways consistent with pain experience. Adopting electrical stunning before slaughter and minimizing air exposure time during harvest represents a meaningful welfare improvement achievable within current production systems.