Rainbow trout are the most commonly farmed fish in the UK, and slaughter welfare has improved significantly with the adoption of percussive and electrical stunning systems.
Trout slaughter welfare has improved significantly in the UK compared to practices elsewhere, with most large producers now using electrical or percussive stunning. The pre-slaughter period remains a welfare concern - crowding, handling, and air exposure before stunning cause significant acute stress. Water temperature reduction prior to crowding can reduce stress responses. The improvement in UK standards demonstrates that welfare progress is achievable at commercial scale.