Aquaculture is the fastest-growing food production sector globally; the welfare standards developed now will shape the treatment of hundreds of billions of fish and crustaceans in coming decades.
The trajectory of aquaculture welfare will be shaped by decisions made in the coming decade about standards, technology investment, and consumer expectations. The sector is growing faster than any other food system component; the welfare practices embedded in current rapid expansion will affect the wellbeing of an enormous number of sentient animals for generations. Establishing good welfare standards now — before poor practices become entrenched — is far easier than reforming established industry once practices are normalised. The welfare science, monitoring technology, and policy frameworks needed to achieve good aquaculture welfare all exist or are in development; the barrier is political will and consumer demand.