Selection for stress responsiveness and slaughter stress affect flesh quality in pan-size rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss

Stress in fish is a permanent concern in aquaculture, and the stress associated with slaughter needs to be minimized in order to preserve flesh quality. The present work shows that similar adverse effects of slaughter stress on flesh quality are seen in rainbow trout from both low stress-responding and high responding lines. Genetic selection for low stress responsiveness does not appear to offer benefits to manage slaughter-stress consequences on flesh quality.