Carp pond culture is one of the oldest aquaculture traditions in Europe, and welfare considerations in these extensive systems differ substantially from intensive salmon or trout farming.
Carp pond welfare is most compromised at harvest and live sale. Traditional live carp transport and sale in small containers causes prolonged crowding, oxygen depletion, and physical injury over many hours or days. The practice of keeping live Christmas carp in bathtubs for days before home slaughter is a significant welfare problem. Modern welfare standards require rapid slaughter immediately after harvest using effective stunning methods. The extensive pond phase of production typically offers better welfare than intensive systems, but terminal handling welfare requires improvement across the industry.