How aquaculture certification schemes vary in their welfare standards, and what consumers should know when choosing certified seafood.
Aquaculture certification schemes provide a useful starting point for consumers trying to make welfare-conscious seafood choices, but they should be understood as a floor rather than a ceiling for welfare standards. Most schemes were designed primarily with environmental sustainability in mind, and welfare standards — where included — often reflect what is already common industry practice rather than what the science shows is needed. Consumers who want to make genuinely welfare-improving choices need to look beyond the label to understand what the specific certification actually requires for the species they are buying, and to push retailers and certifiers to raise their standards over time.