Aquatic Animal Welfare

Aquaculture Welfare Standards: International Progress

Aquaculture welfare standards are developing internationally but remain fragmented, with significant variation between species, countries, and certification schemes.

Key Facts

Global aquaculture production now exceeds wild capture fisheries by volume
ASC and BAP are leading aquaculture certification schemes with some welfare provisions
Fish welfare standards are more developed for salmon than for most other species
Shrimp welfare remains particularly poorly regulated despite enormous production volumes
The Global Aquaculture Alliance has developed welfare provisions for some species

Welfare Considerations

Aquaculture welfare regulation lags behind terrestrial farming welfare standards, partly due to historical uncertainty about fish sentience and partly due to the technical challenges of managing aquatic environments. Progress is accelerating but coverage remains uneven. Species-specific welfare guidelines, independent monitoring, and consumer-facing labelling are key areas for development.

What You Can Do

Choose ASC certified or equivalent aquaculture products
Support the Fish Welfare Initiative working on aquaculture welfare standards
Advocate for aquaculture to be included in national animal welfare legislation
Reduce consumption of species with poorest welfare standards like shrimp