Aquaculture

Fish Welfare Policy and Regulatory Frameworks

Regulatory frameworks for fish welfare are developing globally but remain far behind those for terrestrial animals despite the scale of fish use.

Key Facts

Over 1 trillion fish are caught or farmed annually worldwide
EU and UK legislation nominally covers fish welfare but enforcement is limited
The EU Farm to Fork strategy includes commitments to improve aquatic animal welfare
Welfare research for fish species lags significantly behind that for mammals and birds
International standards for fish welfare in aquaculture are fragmented and inconsistent

Welfare Considerations

Fish welfare policy is an emerging area where scientific understanding is advancing faster than regulatory frameworks. Despite growing evidence of fish sentience and pain capacity, regulatory protections for fish remain minimal compared to those for mammals and birds. Effective policy development requires investment in species-specific welfare research, development of measurable welfare standards, and international cooperation across fisheries and aquaculture sectors.

What You Can Do

Support organisations advocating for stronger fish welfare legislation
Engage with consultations on aquatic animal welfare policy developments
Raise awareness about the regulatory gap between fish and terrestrial animal welfare
Support research that provides the evidence base for fish welfare policy
Advocate for inclusion of fish welfare in sustainable seafood certification standards