Carp are the world's most farmed fish by volume, particularly in Asia and Central/Eastern Europe, and welfare challenges include overcrowding, transport, and live sale practices.
Carp welfare is compromised at multiple points in the production chain. Intensive pond farming with high stocking densities causes chronic stress and increased disease susceptibility. Live sale and transport practices - common in many European markets - expose carp to prolonged suffering including oxygen deprivation and physical injury. Home slaughter without effective stunning is a significant welfare concern. Veterinary guidance for carp welfare is improving, but implementation across the sector remains inconsistent.