Aquaculture Welfare Transition: Fish Welfare in Industry Change

Overview of aquaculture industry welfare transition progress and remaining challenges.

Key Facts

Fish welfare certification coverage is expanding in salmon and selected other species
Pre-slaughter stunning adoption is growing in leading salmon operations
AI-powered welfare monitoring is transitioning from research to commercial deployment
Cleaner fish welfare standards are under active development
Consumer awareness of aquaculture welfare issues is growing through certification and campaigns

Welfare Considerations

Aquaculture welfare transition is at an earlier stage than terrestrial livestock welfare but progressing. Salmon welfare leads, with certification coverage expanding, stunning adoption growing, and monitoring technology commercialising. Fish sentience recognition in legislation is driving regulatory development. Consumer certification awareness is growing. Remaining challenges include the welfare of billions of fish in species and production systems with limited welfare standard coverage.

What You Can Do

Support fish welfare certification schemes and choose certified aquaculture products
Advocate for pre-slaughter stunning requirements for all farmed fish
Follow fish welfare transition progress through Fish Welfare Initiative and certification bodies