How fish welfare certification is evolving and what the most recent advances in standards development look like for farmed fish.
Fish welfare certification is in an active period of development, driven by growing scientific evidence for fish sentience, consumer awareness, and the advocacy of specialist organisations. The progress from where standards were even five years ago is meaningful: welfare is now a named component of major certification schemes rather than an afterthought, and the specific indicators being audited — injury scores, gill health, lice counts, slaughter methods — have genuine scientific grounding. The gap between current standards and what science shows is needed remains significant, but the direction of travel is consistently positive. Consumer pressure and the continued advocacy of welfare-focused organisations are the primary drivers that can accelerate this progress.