Regal Springs opts for 'gamechanger' stunner technology that improves global welfare standards

31 January 2024

Regal Springs champions innovative, eco-friendly aquaculture that supports the welfare of their fish, the surrounding environment, and local communities.

Challenge

Research has shown that nine in ten global consumers prioritise buying from companies that have ethical sourcing strategies in place with 83% willing to spend more on a product if they can guarantee it meets a certain level of criteria. Regal Springs was looking for a stunning solution to both harvest its tilapia more humanely and to address this growing consumer and retail demand for responsibly sourced seafood.

Solution

Ace Aquatec was awarded £1m in funding from the Humane Slaughter Association to provide pilot stunning equipment to farms that had no humane harvesting in place for finfish. Ace Aquatec approached Regal Springs on a trial basis for the A-HSU®, - in conjunction with Nautilus Collaboration, The Centre for Responsible Seafood, and Global Seafood Alliance - that would validate its technology with tilapia. Ace Aquatec created a bespoke product, beginning first in tank tests in Canada and then in commercial scale trials at Regal Springs in Mexico. In the trial, the fish were coming through the stunner fully unconscious and were much easier to bleed. The fish were unconscious for long enough for people to be able to work with them. The pilot Humane Stunner Universal System (A-HSU®) for Tilapia allowed Regal Springs to experience first-hand the huge improvements that high welfare in-water stunning of fish can bring.

Results and Benefits 

The new in-water electric stunners have ensured that Regal Springs tilapia is harvested humanely and effectively. They have also streamlined production and delivered better quality fish. In quality tests conducted by Regal Springs, the tilapia sustained no electrical damage and the company was very happy with the overall flesh standard. Retailers who purchase Regal Springs tilapia can be confident in accessing the very best in tilapia fish protein made viable through the way Regal Springs raise and now also harvest its fish. Regal Springs has now introduced the high welfare solution into its main processing facilities in Mexico, Indonesia, and Honduras.