ASC, GLOBALG.A.P. and other aquaculture certifications include welfare standards of varying comprehensiveness. Understanding what certifications actually require helps consumers make informed choices.
Aquaculture certification provides a welfare floor, not a guarantee. ASC-certified salmon may still experience sea lice burdens up to the treatment threshold, stocking densities at the certified maximum, and welfare conditions that vary significantly between certified farms. The welfare value of certification depends on the rigour of standards, the quality of third-party auditing, and the willingness of certified producers to exceed minimum requirements. Consumers should use certification as a proxy for better welfare rather than as a guarantee of excellent welfare - and should support campaigns that strengthen certification standards over time.