Live fish markets in Asia, North America, and Europe maintain fish in holding conditions and use slaughter methods with significant and often unaddressed welfare implications.
Live fish market welfare is largely invisible to consumers who associate live fish with freshness and quality. The holding conditions in many markets — high density, poor water quality, temperature stress — cause significant pre-purchase welfare harm. Slaughter by the retailer or consumer, typically by cutting without prior stunning, causes acute pain before unconsciousness. The welfare solution requires changing both holding standards and slaughter practices. Percussion or electrical stunning before cutting are feasible in market settings. Consumer education about fish welfare during live market purchase is essential but underdeveloped. Regulatory intervention for market holding and slaughter standards is needed.