Pre-slaughter crowding of farmed Atlantic salmon causes severe acute stress and welfare compromise at the end of life, making it a critical welfare priority in salmon production.
The pre-slaughter period represents one of the most welfare-significant events in farmed salmon lives. Current commercial practices expose fish to severe crowding stress for extended periods before slaughter. Best practice minimises crowding duration, maintains water oxygenation during crowding, and implements immediate effective stunning at the point of crowding to prevent conscious experience of the worst distress. Monitoring cortisol and behavioural stress indicators guides welfare improvements.