Farmed Salmon Welfare at Harvest Electrical

Electrical pre-slaughter stunning is becoming the welfare standard for Atlantic salmon harvest. Advanced implementation is improving efficacy, throughput, and verification of unconsciousness.

Key Facts

Electrical stunning renders salmon unconscious within seconds of correct current application
Water bath electrical systems enable continuous throughput at commercial scale
Current parameters must be optimised for fish size and species to ensure efficacy
Automated verification systems check for unconsciousness before killing step
Norway requires electrical pre-slaughter stunning and is monitoring implementation compliance

Welfare Considerations

Electrical pre-slaughter stunning represents the most significant welfare improvement available at salmon harvest, eliminating conscious suffering during the killing process when implemented correctly. Advanced implementation with automated efficacy verification, appropriate current parameters, and continuous monitoring provides the most reliable welfare protection. Extending mandatory electrical stunning requirements to all salmon-producing countries would deliver welfare benefits to billions of fish.

What You Can Do

Choose salmon from certified operations using electrical pre-slaughter stunning
Support mandatory electrical stunning requirements in all salmon certification schemes
Advocate for international harmonisation of salmon pre-slaughter welfare standards