The ethical slaughter of farmed fish

There has been increased interest by consumers and legislators on ethical aspects of food production systems including the welfare of animals kept for food. Fish farming is a new and fast growing industry that presents unique welfare challenges to farmers. Recent scientific debate on the capacity of fish to feel pain has raised interest in welfare aspects of fish farming. Some traditional methods of harvest, in particular the killing process, have been demonstrated to cause avoidable suffering. As consumers become more aware of fish farming procedures and the scientific knowledge on the welfare implications of fish harvest increases, alternative methods have to be developed. This paper discusses UK legislation concerning the welfare of farmed fish at slaughter. An exploration of current knowledge on the welfare implications of traditional fish killing methods leads to the conclusion that some current methods are ethically and sometimes legally unacceptable. Original research from the scientific development of stunning by electronarcosis for fish stunning is discussed as an example of alternative commercial and ethically acceptable means of killing farmed fish. The example illustrates how scientific inquiry can attempt to satisfy the animal welfare imperative and balance some critical considerations such as profitability, food safety, product quality, ease of operation and operator safety.