Slaughter practices for farmed sea bass vary widely in humaneness, with electrical and percussive stunning providing the most effective welfare protection before killing.
Slaughter welfare for sea bass is poor across much of the Mediterranean aquaculture industry, with ice slurry immersion remaining the dominant method despite its known welfare problems. Fish in ice slurry experience prolonged distress before losing consciousness. The availability of effective alternatives including electrical stunning demonstrates that the industry could substantially improve slaughter welfare with appropriate regulatory requirements and investment. As evidence for fish sentience consolidates, the welfare imperative for effective stunning before slaughter becomes increasingly urgent. Consumer demand for welfare-certified fish can accelerate industry change.