Rainbow Trout Endure 10 Minutes of Intense Pain Post-Catch, Study Finds

Rainbow trout suffer approximately 10 minutes of intense pain when caught and left in air, according to recent research. This finding has sparked discussions on the necessity of humane slaughter methods, such as electric stunning, to alleviate fish suffering and improve meat quality.
The study highlights that traditional methods like air exposure cause prolonged distress in fish. Implementing electric stunning could render fish unconscious instantly, reducing pain and potentially enhancing meat quality, as unconscious fish are less likely to produce stress-induced chemicals that affect taste.
Electric stunning systems, like the HS1, have been adopted in the UK, processing an estimated 80% of all trout killed for meat, significantly improving fish welfare.