The crowding of fish is the most crucial step involved in a rested harvest. If the crowd is conducted poorly it will adversely affect the flesh quality. A successful crowd involves careful marshaling of fish into the sedation bath. Fish should be exhibiting normal swimming behavior during this process. There should be no escape response shown as evidenced by agitated swimming behavior and excessive exercise.

The gusset is slowly lowered to allow fish to be swum into the AQUI‑S^® bag where they are sedated. Fish should show no reaction on entry to the AQUI‑S^® bath.

The AQUI‑S^® stock solution can be added directly to the water. This may be prior to the entry of the fish or once fish have entered the sedation bath. A garden sprayer fitted with an extra long wand can be used for the application of AQUI‑S^®.  The tip of the wand is placed beneath the surface injecting the AQUI-S^®.

As fish progress through the sedation bag they steadily become more sedated. Sedated fish can be easily moved within the sedation bag with the use of the internal net lining. As fish are sedated they do not fight against the movement of the bag.

If a brail net is being used it should be enclosed for minimal water loss. The brail is emptied into a tub containing AQUI‑S^® treated water on the harvest barge. The tub needs to have a return pipe running back to the sedation bag to conserve AQUI‑S^® treated water. If a fish pump is being employed it should have a return pipe running back to the sedation bag to conserve AQUI‑S^® treated water. Agitation of water due to pump action may cause some foaming.

Fish can be killed by either percussion or iki jime. There has been significant progress on the design of automated killing methods, and percussion stunners are currently the most effective available. The gill arches should then be cut and fish transferred to an ice slurry for bleeding.