Aquaculture Welfare

Farmed Fish Anaesthesia Best Practice

Anaesthesia is used in aquaculture for procedures including tagging, examination, and transport. Using appropriate agents and doses minimises pain and stress during these essential interventions.

Key Facts

MS-222 (tricaine methanesulfonate) is the most widely used fish anaesthetic
AQUI-S and clove oil (eugenol) are used as alternatives in some countries
Overdose of anaesthetic agents causes rapid death through respiratory depression
Correct anaesthesia reduces cortisol stress responses during handling
Recovery in well-oxygenated water is an essential post-anaesthesia step

Welfare Considerations

Procedures performed without adequate anaesthesia cause pain and severe stress responses in fish. Using appropriate anaesthetic agents at correct doses, monitoring recovery, and ensuring good water oxygenation are essential welfare practices in any aquaculture system where handling procedures are required.

What You Can Do

Support aquaculture standards requiring appropriate anaesthesia for handling procedures
Advocate for wider availability and use of approved fish anaesthetic agents
Choose aquaculture products from producers committed to pain-free handling