Aquaculture certification schemes address environmental sustainability and increasingly incorporate fish welfare requirements.
Aquaculture certification occupies the intersection of environmental sustainability and animal welfare — two concerns that are partly aligned and partly in tension. Certification schemes designed for environmental sustainability have begun incorporating welfare standards as understanding of fish sentience has developed. The challenge is that welfare science for aquaculture species is less advanced than for terrestrial farm animals, and setting evidence-based standards is more difficult. Consumer preference for certified products provides market pressure for continuous improvement. Supporting certification schemes that include meaningful welfare requirements and engage with evolving welfare science drives improvement across the industry.