Farm Animals

Fish Welfare Certification Schemes

Welfare-specific certification for farmed fish is emerging as an important tool for driving industry improvement and informing consumer choices.

Key Facts

The Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) addresses some welfare aspects in its standards
RSPCA Assured covers salmon and trout farming welfare in the UK
The Global Salmon Initiative has developed welfare-specific commitments among members
Consumer pressure has driven major retailers to develop fish welfare policies
Welfare certification for fish faces challenges including lack of agreed welfare indicators

Welfare Considerations

Fish welfare certification is an important and rapidly developing field. Supporting certified products and engaging with certification bodies to strengthen standards creates a positive feedback loop for welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Choose fish products bearing credible welfare-inclusive certification such as RSPCA Assured
Engage with retailers about their fish welfare standards and certification requirements
Support organisations developing fish welfare assessment frameworks
Advocate for welfare to be a central rather than peripheral element of aquaculture certification
Learn about the differences between sustainability and welfare certification for seafood