Pain in fish is a reality that most of society is completely unaware of. Although it's often thought that these animals don't feel in the same way as mammals, various scientific studies have confirmed that they can experience intense suffering in numerous situations common in aquaculture and fishing. Recent media attention to fish welfare has shed light on systematic slaughter and handling practices that can result in prolonged minutes of silent suffering underwater.
Spain occupies a prominent place in European aquaculture production, which means that millions are raised and slaughtered every year de peces in industrial facilities. Without specific and comprehensive regulation, the Legal protection of these animals is practically non-existent, facilitating production and slaughter methods that prioritize economic efficiency over animal welfare.
The pain hidden behind the methods of sacrifice
Recent research has revealed that slaughter techniques such as drowning and thermal shock cause intense and prolonged pain in fish. Using the Welfare Footprint Framework (WFF) , experts have quantified the minutes of suffering these animals endure after being removed from the water, particularly in species like rainbow trout. It has been shown that, depending on the circumstances, a fish can withstand between 2 and 22 minutes of severe pain before dying from lack of oxygen, with an average of about 10 minutes.
This phenomenon has a global scale of immense proportions: More than 2,2 billion people die each year de peces wild and about 171 billion from fish farms worldwide. The widespread practices generate a massive and invisible pain, aggravated by the fact that much of the industry and legislation focus their attention on mammals and birds, leaving fish in a situation of lack of protection.
The use of methods such as thermal shock —which involves immersing live fish in ice or freezing water for extended periods—or direct suffocation outside of water, often results in the animals remaining conscious while suffering from hypothermia, extreme stress, and organ and tissue damage . The industry justifies these practices due to their low cost and simplicity, but scientific evidence points to avoidable and prolonged suffering.
Fish farm conditions: from overcrowding to stress
Extreme overcrowding in intensive fish farms is a major source of distress for fish. They live in tanks or cages where they can barely move, which increases their stress levels and weakens their immune system. Constant contact with the bars and other fish causes fin erosion, scale loss, and abnormal behaviors associated with chronic stress . Furthermore, poor water quality, with less oxygen and more ammonia, causes additional suffering.
Infectious diseases spread easily under these conditions, leading to continuous outbreaks of bacterial, parasitic, and viral illnesses that rarely receive adequate veterinary follow-up. Controlling these problems often involves the widespread use of antibiotics and antiparasitics, without addressing the root cause of the pain and poor quality of life.
Handling and transport: suffering before slaughter
The sorting, handling, and transport processes represent a new level of stress and pain for fish in the industry. During size sorting or transport to slaughterhouses, suction machines and nets are used that cause bruising, lacerations, and prolonged exposure to air, even before slaughter. With just a few seconds out of the water, the fish begin to experience suffocation, disorientation, and acute suffering.
Transport in nursery vessels or mobile tanks often occurs in challenging conditions, with high levels of overcrowding and poor water quality. Fish can bump into each other or the walls of the tank, aggravating injuries and increasing their discomfort.
Alternatives and regulatory challenges
In view of this situation, experts propose the electrostimulation and percussion (a direct blow to the head) as the most effective methods to reduce time and intensity of pain in the sacrifice de peces. The correct application of these techniques can significantly reduce pre-death sufferingHowever, in practice, there are flaws in its implementation and a lack of training that result in many animals remaining conscious during the process.
Although fish are recognized as sentient beings in European treaties and regulations, the lack of clear and specific regulations for aquaculture and fishing leaves many gaps. Management and control generally depend on scattered regulations or regional jurisdiction, leaving welfare standards in the shadows.
Animal welfare organizations and scientific experts advocate for updated legislation to protect fish, requiring minimum standards regarding density, slaughter methods, and handling that prioritize their welfare. They also call for greater transparency and health controls to help reduce mortality and pain at all stages of production.
Society and consumers play a vital role in raising awareness of this issue and driving regulatory changes that highlight the suffering of fish. Supporting campaigns, requesting information, and demanding high welfare standards can help improve the situation for millions of animals in fish farms and commercial fisheries.
