Common carp is the most farmed freshwater fish globally, yet welfare standards in carp aquaculture lag far behind marine fish species, with limited regulatory oversight in major producing countries.
Carp welfare receives minimal regulatory attention despite the enormous scale of production. The slow, painful slaughter methods common in carp markets - dying on ice or by asphyxiation - represent a major welfare problem at scale. Handling stress during transport is significant and largely unmitigated. The combination of scale, poor welfare standards, and limited regulatory oversight makes carp aquaculture one of the most important neglected areas for welfare improvement. Consumer awareness and advocacy for welfare standards in carp supply chains are needed.