Slaughter methods for farmed fish have major welfare implications; percussive stunning and electrical stunning are among the most humane approaches currently available.
The welfare of fish at slaughter is increasingly recognised as a significant ethical issue, with scientific consensus supporting fish sentience and capacity for pain. The gap between best available practice and standard industry practice remains wide. Effective stunning before slaughter eliminates or greatly reduces suffering; however, adoption is hampered by cost, lack of regulatory requirements, and commercial pressures. Consumer demand for certified humane fish products can drive industry change. Certification schemes such as the Global Salmon Initiative are developing welfare standards that include slaughter.