Pre-slaughter handling is one of the most welfare-significant periods for farmed salmon. Crowding, pump transfers, and stunning methods determine whether salmon die humanely.
Salmon pre-slaughter welfare has received more research attention than almost any other farmed fish welfare topic, yet significant variation in practice remains. The difference between best and worst practice in salmon slaughter is the difference between instant insensibility and minutes of consciousness during dying. Consumer and retailer pressure for higher welfare salmon has driven adoption of better stunning methods in Norwegian and Scottish aquaculture. Continued pressure, supported by clear certification standards, can eliminate the worst practices from certified supply chains.