Aquaculture

Farmed Salmon Pre-Slaughter Crowding Welfare

Pre-slaughter crowding during salmon harvesting is associated with significant physiological distress, with welfare improvements achievable through feed withdrawal and crowding protocols.

Key Facts

Feed withdrawal before harvest reduces gut content and faecal contamination
Crowding during brailing can cause cortisol levels 10-fold above baseline
Welfare window protocols recommend harvesting within specific temperature ranges
Electrical stunning or percussive stunning immediately at harvest minimises suffering
Crowding and pumping systems vary significantly in their welfare impact

Welfare Considerations

Pre-slaughter crowding is a major welfare event for millions of farmed salmon annually. Improvements in harvesting technique can substantially reduce suffering at end of life.

What You Can Do

Support salmon certification that includes pre-slaughter welfare standards
Choose products from farms committed to humane harvest protocols
Raise awareness of salmon welfare at the point of slaughter
Advocate for regulatory standards covering pre-slaughter handling of farmed fish