Effects of commercial live transportation and preslaughter handling of Atlantic salmon on blood constituents

Abstract

RESUMENSe evaluaron los efectos de la cosecha con transporte en wellboat y el manejo ante mortem sobre los constituyentes sanguíneos relacionados al estrés en salmones (Salmo salar). Diez peces fueron muestreados en cada una de las seis etapas denominadas: centro; después de la carga; después del transporte; después de la descarga; después del reposo y después del bombeo hacia la planta procesadora. Se determinaron las concentraciones sanguíneas de cortisol, glucosa, lactato, sodio, cloruro y osmolalidad. En cada etapa, las concentraciones de los constituyentes sanguíneos analizados cambiaron de acuerdo con la severidad del tratamiento aplicado. Los resultados de este estudio indican que una de las etapas más estresantes fue el bombeo desde las jaulas de reposo hacia la planta de proceso. La concentración de todas las variables estudiadas disminuyó después de 24 horas en las jaulas de reposo, y todas, a excepción de la glucosa, aumentaron después de que los peces fueran bombeados a través del salmoducto desde las jaulas de reposo a la planta de proceso. Esto confirma que este último manejo es la etapa más estresante de las estudiadas durante este transporte comercial.

Muscle pH, rigor mortis and blood variables in Atlantic salmon transported in two types of well‐boat

“…As in another study by Gatica and others (2010), it was evident that pumping the fish to the plant was a more severe stressor than any earlier stage of the journey, as indicated by the significant increases in the concentration of cortisol (Table 3, Fig 1) - increases that may cause or amplify the concomitant osmotic imbalance (Redding and Schreck 1983). The concentrations of sodium and chloride ions and blood osmolality were significantly increased, and the effect was modified by the type of well-boat, as shown by the significant interactions (Table 3).…”

Capture induced stress and live storage of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) caught by trawl: Consequences for the flesh quality

“…The technologies can be developed separately in the various fisheries sector. However, the industrial fishery sector has much to gain from the fish farming industry, both with regard to the quality of the fish and implementation of new slaughter technologies (Gatica et al, 2010;Borderias and Sanchez-Alonso, 2011;Lambooij et al, 2012). This will be of great importance when treating large catches of fish.…”

“…These factors may vary significantly from batch to batch, both for fish captured in the wild as well as farmed fish. In the initial stages (harvesting and slaughter), fish experience various types and degrees of physiological stress (Poli et al, 2005;Veiseth et al, 2006;Erikson, 2008;Gatica et al, 2010). This may lead to low muscle pH, a shortening of the pre-rigour period, increased gaping, and potentially reduced bleeding.…”

Effects of Pumping Height and Repeated Pumping in Atlantic Salmon <i>Salmo salar</i>

“…Other studies have documented effects of repeated handling [11] [23], and recorded elevated values of cortisol, lactate, pCO 2 and lower values of pH and pO 2 in blood as the number of handling events were added up [3]. Gatica et al [6] followed a commercial slaughter process and documented elevated levels of cortisol, lactate, Na + , Cl − and osmolality after pumping, and elevated levels of glucose after transport. As the pumped fish in these mentioned studies had experienced series of accumulated events before pumping, they did not estimate the effect of pumping per se.…”

“…Previous studies have documented variable degree of stress and its subsequent effects on fish quality during the complete slaughter processes e.g. [2] [3], during transport [4]- [6] and during crowding [7]- [10]. Repeated handling may stress fish more than single handling events, as the fish are not allowed to recover between each event [11] [12].…”