Aquaculture certification schemes provide third-party verification that fish are farmed according to defined standards covering environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and increasingly — animal welfare. Understanding what these schemes require, and where their welfare provisions are strong or weak, helps consumers, buyers, and producers make informed choices.
The ASC is the most widely recognised global aquaculture certification scheme. ASC standards cover environmental impact, social standards, and fish health and welfare. Key welfare provisions include: stocking density limits, monitoring of operational welfare indicators (OWIs), requirements for access to clean water and oxygen, and slaughter welfare requirements for some species. ASC has published updated welfare standards that are progressively strengthening fish welfare requirements, responding to growing scientific understanding of fish sentience.
GlobalGAP is a pre-competitive farm assurance scheme widely used as a baseline for supply chains. GlobalGAP aquaculture standards cover good agricultural practice including welfare elements. It is widely used by supermarket supply chains and provides baseline assurance. Welfare provisions are generally less specific than ASC.
RSPCA Assured applies to UK salmon and trout farming. Standards are based on RSPCA welfare standards for farmed fish and include specific requirements for: stocking density, water quality, handling, slaughter methods, and welfare-outcome monitoring. RSPCA Assured salmon and trout represents the highest welfare assurance currently available for farmed salmonids in the UK market.
For consumers concerned about fish welfare: RSPCA Assured salmon/trout is the strongest UK label. ASC is a meaningful standard for other species but welfare provisions vary by species standard. Look for certification logos on packaging, and check what specific welfare requirements apply to the species you are purchasing.