A growing number of certification schemes address fish welfare in aquaculture, but standards vary enormously in stringency and the welfare outcomes they achieve.
Aquaculture welfare certification is a critical tool for driving industry improvement but faces significant challenges. Standards vary from minimal welfare inclusion in environmental certifications to comprehensive welfare assessments covering stocking density, handling, enrichment, and slaughter. Third-party audit of offshore cage systems is logistically difficult. Consumer pressure and retailer sourcing policies are the primary drivers of certification adoption, making consumer awareness a key lever for improving aquaculture welfare at scale.