Existing aquaculture certification schemes vary enormously in their welfare provisions, with most addressing environmental sustainability while giving limited attention to individual fish welfare.
Aquaculture certification analysis reveals a significant gap between environmental sustainability credentials and fish welfare provisions. A product certified as environmentally sustainable may be produced in conditions that cause significant fish welfare compromise - these two dimensions are largely independent. For consumers seeking to make welfare-positive seafood choices, current certification schemes provide incomplete guidance. The most welfare-relevant standards exist for salmon in a few markets, but the vast majority of farmed fish species have no meaningful welfare certification available. This certification gap means consumer welfare concern cannot currently be translated into market signals that incentivize producers to improve welfare beyond minimum regulatory requirements.