Most fish demonstrate a maximal escape response when they are threatened in any way. The disturbance may come from a net being introduced into the water, a noise or any other unnatural activities such as removal from the water. The escape response results in increased energy usage and the production of lactic acid in the muscle lowering muscle pH. The overall result is an exhausted fish with acidic flesh.

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The food grade attributes of AQUI‑S^® make it an ideal sedative for achieving a rested harvest. Critical stages where fish encounter stressors during harvest include the CROWD, GRADE and SLAUGHTER stages of the operation. It is at these stages that AQUI‑S^® is extremely effective in reducing stress culminating in improved flesh quality.

During crowding and grading, fish are often exposed to several stressors. These include high stock densities and poor water quality. In many cases the fish are also removed from the water. These common aquaculture stressors cause the fish to use up muscle energy which subsequently impacts on the quality of the final product.

Slaughter is also a critical step in the operation where the animal can become significantly stressed. Regardless of harvest intensity and method the fish are generally stressed. This is due to most procedures exposing the fish to air prior to slaughter or killing the fish in an ice slurry or by percussion. Using AQUI‑S^® immediately prior to slaughter, regardless of the slaughter method, reduces the stress and significantly improves the final flesh quality.