Aquaculture certification schemes vary significantly in welfare rigour - understanding gaps helps consumers and advocates target the most impactful improvements.
Aquaculture certification welfare gaps mean that 'certified' products may have very different actual welfare standards depending on the scheme. Consumers who assume all certified seafood has equivalent welfare protection may be misled. Understanding which schemes have the most robust welfare criteria (RSPCA Assured for UK salmon; ASC for a range of species) enables more informed purchasing. Advocacy to strengthen welfare requirements within existing certification schemes is more achievable than creating new schemes. The biggest welfare gap is the near-total absence of certification for the majority of globally farmed fish, particularly in Asia.