Cardiac activity cessation during slaughtering combinations in farmed European seabass

This study evaluates the effects of different stunning and slaughter methods on fish welfare in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) by monitoring cardiac activity and internal temperature. Using surgically implanted biologgers, the research compares ice slurry immersion, electrical stunning, ikejime, and anesthetic overdose in combinations reflecting commercial and experimental practices. Results show that ice slurry slaughter leads to prolonged cardiac activity, indicating delayed death and potential welfare concerns, while ikejime and anesthetic overdose, especially when preceded by stunning, result in faster cardiac cessation. Electrical stunning significantly improves outcomes compared to ice slurry alone and, when followed by ikejime, appears to offer the best welfare performance, although further neural validation and improvements in commercial feasibility are required.