# Economic Feasibility of Implementing Stunning for Farmed Fish in the EU: A Multi-Species Assessment

## TL;DR

This study shows that implementing fish stunning methods in EU fish farms is generally economically feasible and can even save costs in some cases, though some farms may need financial support.

## Contribution

The study provides a multi-species economic analysis of implementing fish stunning in EU aquaculture, identifying profitability and support needs.

## Key findings

- 16 out of 17 fish farming systems remain profitable after implementing stunning methods.
- Trout farming can experience cost savings due to reduced labor requirements.
- Carp farms face higher financial risks and may need targeted support.

## Abstract

Millions of farmed fish are killed every year in the EU without being stunned, despite science showing that they can feel pain and suffer. This study looked at whether it would be financially possible for fish farms to introduce stunning methods, such as electrical stunning, to improve fish welfare. Data from 17 different types of fish farming systems across Europe, focusing on carp, trout, seabass, and seabream, were reviewed. The results showed that although stunning adds some extra cost, most farms would still remain profitable, and in some cases, especially for trout, stunning could even save money by reducing labor requirements. Only carp farms appeared to be at higher financial risk, and one type of carp farm was already losing money before any changes. This suggests that introducing stunning is affordable for most fish farms, but some farms may need extra support. These findings can help EU policymakers create fair and effective laws that improve animal welfare without harming the fish farming sector.

Stunning of farmed fish prior to slaughter is increasingly recognized as a key animal welfare priority, yet uptake remains limited in the EU aquaculture sector. While the effects of different stunning methods on fish welfare are the subject of significant recent research, the effect on aquaculture businesses remains unclear. Therefore, this study assesses the economic feasibility of implementing electrical stunning for four species where it is not currently routine: carp, trout, seabass, and seabream. Using a granular cost model across 17 country–species–system combinations, and cost data from 2018 to 2020, the impact of introducing in-water and dry electrical stunning systems under various cost pass-through and sensitivity scenarios is evaluated. Results show that while stunning increases the production costs, under realistic assumptions, 16 out of 17 segments remain profitable, with the one unprofitable segment already being unprofitable under business-as-usual conditions. Three trout systems even experience cost savings due to reduced labor requirements. Sensitivity analyses confirm the robustness of these findings across plausible increases in operating costs and financing assumptions. Even under a 0% cost pass-through, 16 segments still remain profitable. These results provide timely, policy-relevant evidence to support species-specific welfare legislation, while identifying segments that may require targeted support for compliance.