What is fish stunning?

Fish stunning is the process of rendering fish unconscious or insensible prior to slaughtering them for human consumption. This process is done to minimize the pain, suffering, and stress experienced by fish during handling, transport and slaughter.

There are several methods of fish stunning, which depends on the species of fish, the size of the fish, and the equipment available. Some common fish stunning methods include electrical stunning, percussion stunning, and stunning with carbon dioxide.

Electrical stunning involves passing an electric current through the water in which the fish are kept. The current passes through the fish causing an instantaneous and reversible loss of consciousness.

Percussion stunning involves stunning fish by a blow to the head, using a blunt instrument, such as a club, mallet, or stunner gun.

Stunning with carbon dioxide involves placing fish in a container that is filled with carbon dioxide. This causes a gradual unconsciousness that is achieved through oxygen depletion.

Fish stunning is an important component of animal welfare in the fishing industry. It ensures that fish are handled and slaughtered humanely, which helps to maintain the quality and safety of fish products.