Can anesthetics be applied for humane stunning or welfare of fish at slaughter?

Title : Can anesthetics be applied for humane stunning or welfare of fish at slaughter?

Abstract:

The use of chemical anaesthetics in aquaculture has expanded significantly for procedures such as handling, transport, vaccination, and research, where reducing stress and improving welfare are priorities. However, their potential application in pre-slaughter stunning remains highly debated due to concerns about animal welfare, food safety, environmental impacts, and regulatory restrictions. This review critically examines commonly studied chemical anaesthetics focusing on their mechanisms, efficacy, safety profiles, species-specific responses and their potential as pre-slaughter stunning. While some chemicals provide rapid sedation and reduce handling stress, many raise issues related to tissue residues, aversive reactions, or prolonged recovery times, limiting their suitability for slaughter. Current evidence suggests that chemical anaesthetics hold clear value for non-lethal interventions, but their role in humane killing remains uncertain and constrained by ethical, practical, and legal challenges. Research should prioritize residue-free agents, species-specific dosing protocols, and harmonized welfare standards to guide safe and responsible use in aquaculture.

Biography:

Dr. Avishek Bardhan is a fisheries scientist whose research focuses on florfenicol occurrence, fate, and risk in aquaculture environments, with emphasis on residues, exposure pathways, and regulatory relevance. His work on antimicrobial resistance addresses selection pressure, resistance dissemination, and mitigation strategies in aquatic systems. He also contributes to biosafety research, including disease prevention, biosecurity protocols, and safe use of therapeutics. Integrating field data with laboratory studies, his outputs support evidence-based management for sustainable aquaculture, public health protection, and compliance-oriented practices.