Welfare Science

Fish Welfare Science: Advances and Policy Gaps in 2026

Review of fish welfare science, sentience evidence, and policy progress in 2026.

Key Facts

Fish pain and sentience evidence continues to strengthen in peer-reviewed literature
Multiple countries considering fish welfare legislation
Humane slaughter standards expanding in aquaculture sectors
Anaesthesia use in research fish still inconsistent globally
Invertebrate welfare discussions increasingly include some fish-adjacent species

Welfare Considerations

Fish welfare science in 2026 has built a substantial evidence base supporting sentience and pain experience in fish. Policy is catching up slowly, with several countries introducing or expanding welfare standards. Major gaps remain in routine aquaculture practices, wild-catch welfare, and the enforcement of existing standards.

What You Can Do

Choose fish products from certified higher-welfare sources
Support organisations advocating for fish sentience recognition in law
Advocate for mandatory pre-slaughter stunning standards in fisheries