PI: Naomi Murn, Centre for Aquaculture Progress

Date Awarded: August 2024 (FSRF 2024-06-06(2))

Abstract (reposted from the final report):

Pre-slaughter electrical stunning has been recognized as a suitable method to reduce fish stress during slaughter, yet its adoption remains limited in Mediterranean aquaculture, particularly for gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) and European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) production.2 This study investigates the gap regarding the challenges of practical implementation of electrical stunning within this region through structured interviews with twentyseven key stakeholders in the Mediterranean aquaculture sector. This study includes interviews with ten fish producers, ten retailers, three certification bodies, and four stunning equipment manufacturers. Thematic analysis identified several critical barriers: high initial investment costs, perceived vessel compatibility issues, and operational complexity. While six out of seven interviewed fish producers without stunning systems cited investment costs as a "very important" barrier, the study revealed that knowledge gaps and misconceptions about technical requirements also significantly impede adoption. Despite limited direct consumer demand, market pressure through certification schemes and potential product quality improvements emerge as key drivers for implementation. The findings suggest successful adoption requires a multifaceted approach combining improved knowledge sharing, financial support mechanisms, and integrated technical solutions.

Reposted from Wicke, M., Murn, N., & Hochman, A. (2025, February 4). Barriers to Adopting Pre-slaughter Electrical Stunning of Sea Bream and Sea Bass in Mediterranean Aquaculture: A Gap Analysis. https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/xv8yf_v1

Further Information: The project pre-registration, data, and final paper are available on the Open Science Framework. The full report can also be downloaded here.