Pre-slaughter welfare for Atlantic salmon is one of the most developed areas of fish welfare science, with effective stunning methods now widely adopted in higher-welfare systems.
Salmon pre-slaughter welfare represents one of the most advanced fronts in fish welfare science and regulation. The evidence base for preferred methods is strong, the effective technologies exist, and regulatory frameworks in leading jurisdictions are driving adoption. The key outstanding issues are standardizing electrical stunning parameters, reducing pre-slaughter crowding stress, and extending regulatory requirements to jurisdictions that have not yet adopted them. Consumer demand for certified welfare-friendly salmon has been an important driver of industry adoption beyond regulatory requirements.