Recognition of fish sentience and pain has driven legislative changes in several countries, though global standards remain highly inconsistent.
Fish welfare legislation has expanded significantly as scientific evidence of fish pain and sentience has accumulated. The UK, EU, and Norway lead in farmed fish welfare standards. However, wild-caught fish — the vast majority — have no welfare protection during fishing, suffering bycatch injuries, barotrauma, and asphyxiation without legal constraint. International frameworks like the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries do not yet include welfare provisions. Legislative progress is uneven and driven by research rather than systematic reform.