Aquaculture

Salmon Pre-Slaughter Welfare Standards

Pre-slaughter conditions for farmed Atlantic salmon significantly affect welfare, with crowding, handling and stunning methods all critical.

Key Facts

Pre-slaughter crowding causes stress, scale loss and physiological distress
Percussion stunning is now standard on many Norwegian farms
Electrical stunning alone without percussive backup may allow recovery
CO2 immersion before slaughter causes distress and is increasingly phased out
Welfare certification schemes now include pre-slaughter standards

Welfare Considerations

The final hours of salmon life are among the highest-risk for welfare compromise. Crowding, temperature change, and inadequate stunning all contribute to suffering. Adoption of effective stunning with immediate brain destruction, coupled with reduced crowding time, represents achievable welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Choose salmon certified to higher pre-slaughter welfare standards
Support aquaculture welfare regulations including slaughter requirements
Advocate for mandatory effective stunning before slaughter