Scientific evidence for fish pain capacity has grown substantially. Understanding what we know about fish nociception and pain informs humane treatment in fisheries and aquaculture.
The growing scientific consensus that fish experience some form of pain has profound welfare implications for the billions of fish in aquaculture and the trillions caught annually in wild fisheries. Current practices including crowding at harvest, asphyxiation, and live chilling without stunning cause conditions that evidence suggests are painful. The precautionary principle suggests that given the plausible pain experience of fish, efforts to minimize suffering are warranted. Welfare improvements in fish handling and slaughter are achievable with existing technology.