A huge problem affecting millions of fish

This cruelty isn’t just a problem in carp farming. Across the EU, up to 1.1 billion fish are farmed each year, yet there is no species-specific legislation to protect their welfare. This lack of legal safeguards affects every single one of these animals.

Carp alone are farmed in enormous numbers. In the EU, at least 26 million individual carp (over 60,000 tonnes) are farmed every year, with Poland (over 17,000 tonnes) and the Czech Republic (around 16,000 tonnes) accounting for over half of production.

In Czechia, carp are the most farmed fish with more than 5 million farmed every year. Shockingly only around 11% are killed in slaughterhouses.

Investigation findings

The shocking treatment of the fish was evident at multiple stages, from collection and transport to live sale.

The key investigation findings include:

Severe overcrowding and poor water quality - carp were packed so tightly together that many struggled to breathe, with dead and dying fish visible at the surface of the tanks.
Rough and improper handling - fish were thrown, dropped from heights and hit against hard surfaces.
Fish left gasping for air - carp were left out of water for up to ten minutes during sorting and weighing.
Inhumane slaughter - workers attempted to stun carp with blunt objects, but many fish appeared to be conscious as their throats were cut.
Sale of live fish to the public - some customers bought live carp in plastic bags without water, taking them home to kill them without training or equipment, often days after buying them.

Dr. Santiago Pintos, our Senior Research and Policy Manager of Aquatic Animals said:

Our investigation reveals a complete disregard for carp welfare. Carp are sentient beings who can feel pain and distress, just like land animals.

Yet this is just one example of a wider crisis. Across Europe, billions of fish - including carp, sea bass, and trout - are suffering in intensive fish farms and there’s a lack of legislation to protect them.

We need policymakers to rethink fish and listen to the 9 out of 10 EU citizens who believe they should have stronger protection. The EU must introduce comprehensive legislation to protect their welfare without delay.

What needs to change

We are calling on the European Union to take urgent action for fish. We need:

Species-specific welfare laws covering water quality, stocking density, handling requirement during transport and slaughter;
Scientific opinions from the European Food Safety Authority on scientifically validated ways of farming, transporting and slaughtering aquatic animals;
Enforceable rules for fish welfare across all aquaculture systems.
The upcoming revision of the Animal Welfare legislation, as well as the EU Vision 2040 for fisheries and aquaculture, to address these issues as a matter of urgency.

Take action

Fish are sentient beings who deserve kindness and protection.

Together, we can end these cruel practices and adopt science-based and enforceable legislation to protect farmed fish.

Sign our petition calling on the EU to protect the welfare of aquatic animals.

With your voice, we can make a difference. Help us protect over one billion fish across the EU.

Suffering Exposed: Investigation Reveals Shocking Fish Farm Cruelty