The final stages of salmon production - crowding for harvest, transport, and pre-slaughter handling - are among the most welfare-significant periods in the production cycle. Evidence-based protocols can substantially reduce suffering.
Salmon pre-slaughter welfare represents a critical opportunity for welfare improvement with established technical solutions. The contrast between best practice (immediate electrical stunning) and common practice (prolonged crowding, CO2 narcosis, or live chilling) represents one of the largest preventable welfare gaps in commercial aquaculture. Certification schemes including ASC and RSPCA Assured are incorporating pre-slaughter welfare requirements. The economic case for humane slaughter is also established: reduced pre-slaughter stress improves flesh quality metrics including reduced gaping and better color retention.