Aquaculture certification schemes are evolving to incorporate fish welfare science, but significant gaps remain between the best available evidence and current certification standards globally.
Aquaculture certification welfare gaps are significant. Most major certification schemes were designed around environmental sustainability and food safety rather than fish welfare. ASC's salmon standard, for example, includes stocking density and water quality requirements that have welfare implications, but does not mandate humane slaughter. The gap between leading welfare science - which supports pre-slaughter stunning, stocking density limits based on welfare outcomes, and chronic stress monitoring - and current certification requirements represents an opportunity for advocacy. Consumer demand for meaningful welfare certification creates market incentives for scheme improvement.