Aquaculture

Farmed Trout Slaughter Welfare Standards

Rainbow trout are the most farmed salmonid globally, and slaughter methods significantly affect welfare at end of life.

Key Facts

Rainbow trout are farmed at over 800,000 tonnes annually worldwide
Percussion stunning followed by bleeding is considered the gold standard
CO2 stunning is widely used but evidence suggests it is aversive in salmonids
Electrical stunning parameters must be species-specific to ensure unconsciousness
Asphyxia in air (common in small operations) causes prolonged dying times

Welfare Considerations

Fish welfare at slaughter is an area where small improvements in method can affect millions of individuals. Trout show nociception and stress responses comparable to terrestrial vertebrates. Effective stunning before slaughter eliminates the prolonged suffering associated with asphyxia and ice slurry.

What You Can Do

Choose trout products from farms with verified stunning practices
Support welfare certification schemes that include slaughter standards
Advocate for mandatory pre-slaughter stunning in national aquaculture regulations
Support research into cost-effective on-farm stunning equipment