Global Aquaculture Certification: Coverage and Gaps

Aquaculture certification schemes cover a growing proportion of global production but significant gaps remain in species, region and welfare coverage.

Key Facts

ASC certification covers approximately 15% of global farmed seafood production
BAP certification covers significant additional volume particularly in shrimp and salmon
Welfare-specific certification (RSPCA Assured) covers primarily UK salmon and trout production
Major producing regions including China and South and Southeast Asia have lower certification penetration
Species coverage is skewed toward salmon, shrimp and tilapia with many farmed species uncertified

Welfare Considerations

Global aquaculture certification has achieved meaningful welfare improvements in covered products but leaves most farmed seafood outside any welfare framework. The concentration of certification in high-value species sold in welfare-conscious markets leaves the majority of globally farmed fish in uncertified systems. Expanding certification penetration in major producing countries and species requires adaptation of standards to local production contexts and development of verification systems that work at scale in lower-resource settings. International policy coordination through bodies like FAO could accelerate certification uptake where voluntary market mechanisms have limited reach.

What You Can Do

Choose certified seafood whenever available and pay the premium that supports higher welfare standards
Advocate for international aquaculture welfare standards through policy engagement
Support organisations working to extend certification to major uncertified producing regions
Engage with the aquaculture sector about closing welfare coverage gaps