Species‐specific welfare aspects of the main systems of stunning and killing of farmed Atlantic Salmon

Abstract

SUMMARYFollowing a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Animal Health and Welfare was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on welfare aspect of the main systems of stunning and killing of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in the EU.Harvesting and processing of farmed Atlantic salmon are the same as for sea-farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss); therefore this scientific opinion and its conclusions can also be applied to the sea farmed trout 1 production.A semi-quantitative risk assessment approach was used to rank the risks of poor welfare associated with the different commercially applied stunning and killing methods for Atlantic salmon. The risk assessment was also used to identify other areas of concern, as well as to provide guidance for future research. The risk assessment was mainly based on expert opinion, due to the limited amount of quantitative data and published peer-reviewed data on many effects of hazards associated with killing of Atlantic salmon. Pre-slaughter stages which have a direct impact on the welfare immediately before and during killing were included in the risk assessment. Stunning and killing methods that are not commercially used in Europe (e.g. carbon monoxide) were described but not included in the risk assessment. The opportunity to develop new methods for slaughtering Atlantic salmon is considerable and should be encouraged.1 Scientific Opinion of the Panel on Animal Health and Welfare on a request from the European Commission on welfare aspect of the main systems of stunning and killing of farmed Atlantic salmon.

Assessing the effectiveness of an electrical stunning and chilling protocol for the slaughter of Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus)

“…Electrical stunning has the potential to rapidly induce unconsciousness in fish. Consistent with welfare recommendations [1,10,11], it has been shown that Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ) [12] can be rendered unconscious using a stun of 0.5 s duration. Effective 1 s stun durations have also been validated for a diverse range of freshwater and marine species [13–22] including the small pelagic Atlantic herring ( Clupea harengus ) [23].…”

“…To ensure good welfare, death must be induced prior to consciousness recovery [1,10]. A variety of post electrical stunning slaughter methods have been investigated to date [2,12,17,20,22], including chilling by the use of cold water/ice slurries.…”

Assessment of listing and categorisation of animal diseases within the framework of the Animal Health Law (Regulation (EU) No 2016/429): infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN)

“…EFSA (EFSA AHAW Panel, 2009) assessed the welfare aspects of killing farmed Atlantic salmon and reported that pre-slaughter crowding and pumping would subject the fish to metabolic and handling stress. There is also always a certain risk of poor welfare involved when live fish are transported.…”