Scientific understanding of fish sentience and welfare has advanced rapidly, with implications for aquaculture, fisheries, and policy that are only beginning to be reflected in regulation.
Fish welfare science has undergone a revolution in the past two decades, moving from skepticism about fish sentience to strong scientific evidence that fish can experience pain and negative emotional states. This evidence demands a corresponding evolution in how fish are treated in aquaculture, recreational fishing, and wild capture fisheries. The scale of fish use — trillions annually — means even modest welfare improvements have enormous aggregate impact. Policy reform is lagging behind science, with most jurisdictions providing minimal or no welfare protection for fish. Engaging with this evidence and supporting policy reform is one of the highest-leverage welfare interventions available.