Farmed Salmon Slaughter and Welfare

Salmon slaughter welfare has improved significantly with the adoption of percussive and electrical stunning, but implementation remains inconsistent across the global salmon farming industry.

Key Facts

Norway and Scotland produce the majority of farmed Atlantic salmon globally, with combined annual production exceeding 2.5 million tonnes.
CO2 narcosis, previously common for salmon stunning, is now understood to be aversive and is being replaced by mechanical or electrical methods.
Percussive stunning using a captive bolt or mechanical spike renders fish unconscious immediately when correctly applied.
Electrical stunning requires species and size-specific current parameters to achieve unconsciousness without physical damage.
Norwegian regulations require effective stunning before killing for farmed salmon — standards more advanced than most countries.

Welfare Considerations

Salmon slaughter welfare has been one of the most actively improved areas in aquaculture welfare over the past decade, driven by scientific evidence, industry commitment, and regulatory pressure. The shift away from CO2 stunning represents a meaningful welfare improvement affecting hundreds of millions of fish annually. However, implementation quality remains variable, and the welfare improvement requires careful quality control to achieve its promise.

What You Can Do

Choose certified salmon products from producers with audited stunning compliance, such as ASC-certified farms.
Support organizations including the Fish Welfare Initiative that campaign for mandatory humane slaughter standards globally.
Advocate for international harmonization of salmon slaughter welfare standards at a minimum equivalent to Norwegian regulations.
Reduce farmed salmon consumption and choose higher welfare certified products when purchasing.