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Farmed fish are harvested by gathering them from ponds, tanks, or cages, then transferring them to slaughter or processing. Pond fish may be collected with seines after water levels are lowered; fish in tanks or cages may be crowded and removed with nets or pumps. What happens next—including whether fish are transported alive and how they are stunned and killed—depends on the species and farm. There is no single worldwide harvest method.
What happens during a fish-farm harvest?
“Harvest” can mean more than catching fish from the growing system. It may cover preparation, gathering and transfer, slaughter, and processing. These are separate stages, and farms do not all follow the same sequence.
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Prepare the harvest
Operators plan around fish size, the farm’s layout, weather, worker safety, and where the fish will be processed. A 2008 FAO profile of European seabass describes fasting before slaughter in that production context, but it is not a universal instruction. The WOAH Aquatic Animal Health Code says fish should not be deprived of food longer than necessary.
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Gather and concentrate the fish
In ponds, operators may lower the water level and use a seine—a large net drawn through the water—to gather fish toward a collection area. In cages, nets may be lifted or repositioned to bring fish together. Dip nets and pumps can be used to remove fish from tanks or cages. Crowding and handling can cause stress or injury, so welfare guidance emphasizes minimizing them.
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Transfer fish to slaughter or processing
Depending on the farm and destination, fish may be killed at a facility on the farm or moved alive in water to a processor. The FAO seabass profile describes a harvest-to-slaughter interval usually no longer than two hours, including transport, for the operation it covers; that 2008 example is not a general benchmark for fish farming.
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Stun and kill
Stunning is intended to make a fish unconscious before it is killed. Methods described by WOAH include percussive and electrical stunning. A reversible stun can wear off, so the fish must be killed before consciousness returns. Staff should check that stunning has worked and use backup stunning when needed.
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Process and chill
After slaughter, fish may be bled and processed, or sold whole. A 2020 review by Global Seafood Alliance gives examples including pangasius bled at processing and channel catfish electro-stunned before processing. These are examples of particular practices, not a description of every farm or facility.
How methods differ by farm system
| System | How fish may be gathered | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Pond | Water may be lowered, then fish gathered with seines. | The exact approach depends on the pond and the operation. |
| Tank or cage | Fish may be crowded and removed with dip nets or pumps. | For European seabass, FAO describes cage harvest as dependent on acceptable weather for worker safety. |
Scale also matters: FAO notes that large-volume operations may need automation, while smaller operations can use manual methods. The species, equipment, farm layout, and intended processing destination all shape the workflow.
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Why species and size matter for welfare
Equipment and stunning settings that work for one fish cannot be assumed to work equally well for another. WOAH advises choosing methods using species-specific evidence. Norway’s Scientific Committee for Food and Environment (VKM) also describes differences in fish anatomy and behavior and notes the importance of adjusting machinery to species and size.
WOAH’s general principle is that farmed fish should be stunned before killing, with immediate and irreversible loss of consciousness. If a method can produce only a temporary stun, death must follow before consciousness returns. WOAH identifies chilling in ice water, carbon dioxide, removal from water, and bleeding without stunning as methods associated with poor welfare, and says they should not be used where suitable mechanical or electrical methods are feasible. WOAH guidance is an international standard; the legal requirements that apply to a farm depend on its jurisdiction.
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- Affordable Innovation – KastKing fishing knives are available in the most requested lengths and shapes so that you’ll always have the right tool for the job. Available from a beautiful 5” bait knife all the way to a tough 9” steaking knife for the biggest game fish. All KastKing fishing tools are covered by our total peace of mind warranty against the workmanship and materials for the original owner. We have total confidence in the quality of all KastKing fishing tools and so will you.
What is known about oversight and evidence?
Evidence on how reliably stunning works is not complete. In its 2025 assessment of fish species farmed in Norway, VKM reported limited documentation on how long fish remain unconscious and on the proportion that may not be sufficiently stunned at killing. A 2026 European Commission study summary describes uneven controls and rules across EU Member States and Norway; it does not give a quantified enforcement rate. Neither finding establishes conditions at every farm.
The examples in this article draw on different sources and contexts: FAO’s detailed harvest description concerns European seabass; the Global Seafood Alliance’s 2020 review includes examples for tilapia, catfish, pangasius, and salmon; VKM’s assessment concerns Norway; and the European Commission summary concerns Member States and Norway. They are not a census of worldwide practice.
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- Razor Sharp Stainless Blades – All new KastKing fishing fillet knives and the 5” Bait Knife utilize premium, razor sharp G4116 German Stainless-Steel blades with a beautiful black finish. KastKing fillet knives will maintain their edge longer in both fresh and saltwater applications and make the job of cutting baits, filleting fish of all sizes and steaking large game fish easier than ever before.
- Non-Slip Super Polymer Grip - We use the most comfortable and slip-resistant, super polymer grips for your safety and comfort. These handles feel great in your hand and ensure that you always have a solid grip on your fillet knife. These handles also clean up easily and stay looking good longer.
- The Right Knife For The Job - The 5” Bait Knife is stiff and strong, it has a serrated top edge that makes cutting frozen bait quick and easy. The razor-sharp leading edge allows the fisherman to easily prepare both chunk and cut plug style baits. The 6”, 7” & 9” Fillet Knives are not only sharp and but also have the perfect flexibility so the knife will follow natural contours for perfect fillets. The 9” Steaking Knife is a powerhouse for steaking big game fish like salmon, tuna and more.
- Includes Protective Knife Sheath – Each knife includes a light-weight and durable sheath to protect the blade and keep you safe in between jobs. The unique design of the sheath will lock the handle in for safety but removes easily when needed. The open slots in the sheath are design to allow water to drain easily so that your knives stay dry and sharp.
- Affordable Innovation – KastKing fishing knives are available in the most requested lengths and shapes so that you’ll always have the right tool for the job. Available from a beautiful 5” bait knife all the way to a tough 9” steaking knife for the biggest game fish. All KastKing fishing tools are covered by our total peace of mind warranty against the workmanship and materials for the original owner. We have total confidence in the quality of all KastKing fishing tools and so will you.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
