Document type : fact sheet published by the Aquatic Life Institute
Author: Aquatic Life Institute
Preview: The stunning and slaughter processes in aquaculture are relatively short in duration compared to other stages of rearing. However, these last moments of life can often be the most traumatizing for farmed aquatic animals. Humane methods of slaughter minimize suffering wherever possible, and in order to alleviate distress or discomfort prior to the killing procedure, effective stunning is required.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) 'Aquatic Animal Health Code' states that effectivestunning should be verified by the absence of consciousness, and fishes should not regain consciousness before death. It is also necessary that we acknowledge pre-slaughter handling as an indispensable part of the animals' experience during the overall slaughtering process, which includes sudden disturbances, removal from water, withdrawal of food, crowding, and transportation, all of which impose stress on farmed aquatic animals. [...]Featured below are several examples of 'welfare-friendly' stunning and slaughter equipment commercially available for some of the most predominantly farmed species in aquaculture. All stunning and slaughter equipment must be calibrated appropriately for the specific species to be processed in order to achieve immediate and irreversible stun. Therefore, additional research is required to create a more comprehensive stunning and slaughter guide for all globally farmed aquatic species.
