Every year, millions of farmed fish in Africa endure slow and distressing deaths due to outdated slaughter methods. Despite the global push for humane aquaculture, salt bath slaughter—where fish are immersed in hyper-salinity, causing osmotic shock—remains widespread due to its low cost and accessibility. While this method is favored by farmers for its simplicity, mounting scientific evidence reveals that it causes prolonged suffering, erratic swimming, and severe physiological stress before death. This review critically examines the welfare crisis associated with salt bath slaughter, analyzing its impacts on species such as Clarias gariepinus and Oreochromis niloticus, and highlighting its ethical, economic, and industry-wide implications.
Beyond ethical concerns, the persistence of inhumane slaughter practices poses economic risks for African aquaculture. Stress-induced biochemical changes degrade meat quality, increasing bacterial load and shortening shelf life, ultimately restricting marketability and export opportunities. However, multiple barriers, including economic constraints, lack of farmer awareness, and weak regulatory frameworks—hinder the adoption of humane alternatives. This review explores these challenges and evaluates the feasibility of practical, cost-effective stunning methods such as percussive and electrical stunning, iced-water slurry, and locally adapted stunning tools. Drawing insights from successful case studies in Southeast Asia and Latin America, the study outlines pathways for transitioning African aquaculture toward more humane practices without imposing excessive financial burdens on small-scale farmers.
For Africa’s aquaculture industry to thrive, immediate action is needed. Policymakers must integrate fish welfare into national regulatory frameworks, farmers require access to affordable humane alternatives, and researchers should prioritize developing cost-effective stunning methods suited to local contexts. Without urgent intervention, millions of farmed fish will continue to suffer unnecessarily under outdated practices. Humane slaughter is not merely an ethical obligation—it is essential for improving product quality, strengthening industry sustainability, and ensuring African aquaculture remains competitive in global seafood markets. This study calls for a collaborative effort among governments, industry stakeholders, and researchers to drive meaningful welfare reforms in African aquaculture.