Aquaculture Welfare: Salmon, Tilapia, and Beyond

Aquaculture now produces more fish than wild capture fisheries, making the welfare of farmed fish a major and growing concern for animal advocates.

Key Facts

Aquaculture produced over 90 million tonnes of fish and seafood in 2022, exceeding wild capture for the first time
Atlantic salmon farming is concentrated in Norway, Chile, Scotland, and Canada
Sea lice infestations affect over 70 percent of Atlantic salmon farms and cause painful lesions
Tilapia is the most widely farmed fish globally and faces welfare challenges from high density and poor water quality
Stunning before slaughter is inconsistently applied across aquaculture species and geographies
RSPCA Assured and GlobalG.A.P. include some fish welfare criteria but coverage is incomplete

Welfare Considerations

Farmed fish are produced in enormous numbers under conditions that frequently compromise welfare: high stocking densities, parasite burdens, water quality problems, and inhumane slaughter. Fish sentience evidence is sufficient to justify welfare concern. Advocates should push for mandatory stunning, parasite management standards, and density limits across aquaculture species.

What You Can Do

Choose ASC-certified or RSPCA Assured fish products when buying farmed fish
Reduce consumption of farmed salmon in particular given high welfare concern from lice and stocking density
Advocate for mandatory pre-slaughter stunning standards in aquaculture regulation
Support research into fish welfare indicators and humane aquaculture practices
Ask fish retailers and food service companies about their aquaculture welfare standards