Scientific understanding of fish pain has advanced considerably. The evidence base now strongly supports that fish experience nociception and likely conscious pain, with significant implications for aquaculture welfare standards.
The scientific case for fish sentience and pain experience is now strong enough that excluding fish from welfare consideration is no longer scientifically defensible. Aquaculture welfare standards must catch up with this evidence base. This means adopting effective stunning before slaughter, minimizing crowding stress, avoiding painful procedures without analgesia, and investing in environmental enrichment. Given the enormous numbers involved, improvements in fish welfare standards could reduce suffering at a scale matched by few other interventions.