Aquaculture

Farmed Carp: Handling Stress During Harvesting

Carp are the world's most farmed fish species, yet their welfare during harvesting is poorly regulated and poorly studied.

Key Facts

Carp production exceeds 4 million tonnes annually worldwide
Harvesting involves netting, crowding, and air exposure - all stressful events
Carp show long-lasting physiological stress responses to handling
Rapid chilling or percussive stunning before slaughter reduces suffering

Welfare Considerations

Carp demonstrate clear indicators of pain and stress during handling. Rapid slaughter methods are technically feasible and dramatically reduce the duration of suffering. Welfare standards for carp lag far behind salmon and trout.

What You Can Do

Advocate for farmed carp welfare standards in national aquaculture regulation
Support research into humane carp slaughter methods
Choose carp products from producers with documented welfare protocols