Multiple aquaculture certification schemes vary significantly in their welfare requirements, making it important for consumers to understand what different labels mean.
Consumer certification schemes for aquaculture are an important lever for welfare improvement, but only if consumers understand what different labels mean. Not all eco-labels address welfare: the ASC label, widely recognized for environmental sustainability, has limited welfare requirements. Labels specifically addressing welfare criteria for fish — covering stocking density, water quality, handling procedures, and slaughter — provide more meaningful welfare assurance. The RSPCA Assured scheme in the UK currently sets the most comprehensive welfare bar for several farmed fish species. As fish welfare science matures, the expectation is that welfare standards will become more specific and better validated across a wider range of species. Consumer demand for meaningful welfare labels creates market incentive for standards development.