Arnan Hirunratanakorn, now working with Kasetsart University in Thailand brings us up to date on their fish welfare research project:
Hello everyone, I’d like to share a project that my team and I worked on, titled “Fish Slaughtering Welfare: Assessing Slaughtering Techniques in Tilapia for Welfare Indicators and Meat Quality Indices” focusing on fish stunning methods for tilapia. The project had two main parts:
First, we conducted experiments on six stunning methods to compare their effects on fish welfare and meat quality. The results from this study were published in a previous article.
Second, we surveyed fishmongers in wet markets to understand their current stunning practices. We also introduced and demonstrated alternative methods and gathered their opinions before and after training.
Common Stunning Methods Used In Wet Markets
Our team surveyed 15 fishmongers from three markets. The most common method was percussive stunning using a priest, followed by asphyxiation and ice slurry. These methods were chosen for their simplicity, ease of use, and low cost.
Ikijime was known and used for catfish, but not for tilapia. Only one participant knew it could be used for tilapia but had never tried it.
Methods like bolt pistol, anesthetic overdose, and electrical stunning were largely unfamiliar, and none of the fishmongers had ever used them.
Key Factors Influencing the Choice of Stunning Methods
"When asked what influenced their choice of stunning methods, speed was the most important factor, followed by ease of use and stunning efficiency. While factors such as operator safety, customer perception, product quality, and fish welfare were not the primary determinants."
Gaps in Fish Welfare Awareness and Practice
Only nine fishmongers believed that fish feel pain, and among them, only two actively tried to minimize suffering. This shows that fish welfare awareness is still low, and even those who recognize it may not apply it in practice.
Evaluating Alternative Stunning Methods After Training
Ikijime was seen as fast and operator-friendly, but its biggest challenge is that it requires extensive training to master the method. The bolt pistol was highly rated for its effectiveness in fish stunning, but participants were concerned about operator safety, loud noise and costs of equipment and maintenance. Anesthetic overdose was seen as the most humane method. It doesn’t cause any damage to the fish, is easy to apply, and has high stunning efficiency. With the downsides, including a longer stunning time, concerns about chemical residues, and consumers rejection.
When comparing these 3 alternative methods to priest stunning, asphyxiation, and ice slurry—which are already widely used and stand out for their simplicity, low training needed, low cost and are safe for operators. Fishmongers make their choices based on what works best for them by prioritizing speed, freshness, and affordability. Factors like fish welfare or the specific slaughter method are typically given lower priority. In the end, most fishmongers stuck to their usual methods. Only two wanted to adopt Ikijime, and just one was interested in bolt pistols.
Future Opportunities in Fish Welfare
Our study shows that traditional stunning methods remain dominant due to their practicality, while alternative stunning methods which are beneficial for fish welfare, still face limitations in practicality and lack of consumer demand for good welfare products. Increasing public awareness of fish welfare could help drive demand for more humane practices.
For this reason, consistent public relations and awareness campaigns are essential. Over time, increased awareness can influence both consumer behavior and industry practices, fostering a shift toward more humane methods.