A fish farmer holding an anesthetized rainbow trout.

Executive summary

To meet rising global seafood demand aquaculture has developed technologies, genetics and production systems to grow seafood at scale more efficiently and sustainably. Advancements in aquaculture have included technologies and methods for humane slaughter, euthanasia and depopulation which improve fish welfare and product quality during these end-of-life procedures. Alongside aquaculture development, scientific research conducted on fish sentience has progressed and now supports teleost fish (bony fish) as sentient animals capable of experiencing negative states such as pain and suffering.

The importance of using best available technology and humane methods for slaughter, euthanasia and depopulation is now more apparent than ever. Increasingly seafood consumers, retailers, regulators and third-party certification agencies are supporting sustainable aquaculture production which incorporates humane practices and the ethical treatment of fish into end-of-life procedures for slaughter, euthanasia and depopulation.

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