Scientific consensus on fish pain has strengthened significantly, and legislation is beginning to catch up. Understanding the current state of fish welfare law helps advocates identify where change is needed and possible.
Fish welfare legislation lags dramatically behind mammal and bird protections despite strong scientific evidence for fish pain and stress. The scale of fish killing -- trillions annually -- makes this one of the largest welfare issues in terms of number of animals affected. Existing regulations in leading countries demonstrate that fish welfare standards are practically achievable without ending fish production. Advocates working on fish welfare legislation are working in a high-impact area where modest regulatory change affects an enormous number of animals.