Aquaculture

Salmon Pre-Slaughter Welfare: Crowding, Pumping, and Stunning

Overview of salmon pre-slaughter welfare including crowding, pumping, and stunning practices.

Key Facts

Pre-slaughter crowding causes acute stress and welfare compromise in salmon
Pumping live fish during harvest causes physiological stress and injury
Percussion stunning or electrical stunning are most humane slaughter methods for salmon
CO2 stunning causes aversion and is considered less humane for salmon
Pre-slaughter welfare protocols are part of leading aquaculture certification schemes

Welfare Considerations

Salmon pre-slaughter welfare is a critical point in the welfare journey, with crowding, pumping, and stunning all contributing to the welfare experience at end of life. Evidence shows that crowding stress affects meat quality as well as welfare, creating economic alignment with welfare improvement. Electrical stunning immediately prior to slaughter is considered best practice. Consumer and regulatory pressure for pre-slaughter welfare standards is growing.

What You Can Do

Choose salmon from certification schemes with pre-slaughter welfare requirements
Support fish welfare organisations advocating for mandatory stunning standards
Advocate for pre-slaughter welfare legislation covering farmed fish