Document type: published in Fish Focus
Author: Fish Focus
Excerpt in French (translation): Fish welfare is now certifiable.
Fish welfare is emerging as one of the major issues facing the global food industry, at a time when more than half of the fish consumed worldwide now comes from intensive aquaculture. Experts emphasize that factors such as stocking density, water quality, stress management, and slaughter methods can have a significant impact on fish health and welfare.[…]
The Fish Welfare Project
It is in this context that the Fish Welfare project, developed by Friend of the Sea in collaboration with the World Sustainability Foundation, took shape. Launched in 2017, this initiative aims to make fish welfare a measurable, verifiable, and certifiable parameter; it is supported by Open Philanthropy (now Coefficient Giving), one of the leading international philanthropic organizations. The project is based on the scientific premise that fish are sentient beings and that their welfare represents a new frontier in the sustainability of the fishing industry. The goal is therefore to translate scientific research into operational standards applicable to both aquaculture and fisheries in order to reduce stress, suffering, and mortality.
From Research to Practice: Standards and Implementation
The project is structured around two main areas of action.
– Aquaculture: In collaboration with Fair Fish and Fish Etho Group, 24 species-specific standards were developed, including criteria for assessing and improving welfare in aquaculture operations and for certifying companies that adopt compliant practices.
– Fisheries: In collaboration with CCMAR, Fair Fish, Fish Etho Group, and Demos (CareFish Catch project), five certification standards have been developed, applicable to both small-scale fisheries and large global fleets. The standards are based on the main fishing methods (nets, longlines, lines, and other systems) and aim to reduce stress and injuries during capture.
Operational Phase and Impact
The Fish Welfare project has now entered its operational phase, with activities focused on testing standards, certifying companies, and piloting improved practices. […]The ultimate goal is to make fish welfare a recognized international standard, integrated into sustainability certification systems. This paradigm shift could redefine sustainability criteria for the entire sector in the years to come. […]
Preview: Fish welfare is emerging as one of the most significant issues in the global food sector, at a time when more than half of the fish consumed worldwide now comes from intensive farming. The Fish Welfare Project From research to practice: standards and implementation Operational phase and impact
Experts point out that factors such as stocking density, water quality, stress management, and slaughter methods can significantly impact fish health and welfare.[…]
It is in this context that the Fish Welfare Project, developed by Friend of the Sea together with the World Sustainability Foundation, takes shape. Launched in 2017, the initiative aims to make fish welfare a measurable, verifiable, and certifiable parameter and is supported by Open Philanthropy (now Coefficient Giving), one of the leading international philanthropic organisations.
The project is founded on the scientific assumption that fish are sentient beings and that their welfare represents a new frontier in the sustainability of the fisheries sector. The aim, therefore, is to translate scientific research into operational standards applicable to both aquaculture and fisheries to reduce stress, suffering, and mortality.
The project is structured around two main lines of action.
– Aquaculture : In collaboration with Fair Fish and Fish Etho Group, 24 species-specific standards have been developed, with criteria for assessing and improving farm welfare and for certifying companies that adopt compliant practices.
– Fisheries : In collaboration with CCMAR, Fair Fish, Fish Etho Group and Demos (CareFish Catch project), five certification standards have been developed, applicable to both small-scale fisheries and large global fleets. The standards are based on the main fishing methods (nets, longlines, lines and other systems) and aim to reduce stress and injuries during capture.
The Fish Welfare Project is now in its operational phase, with activities focused on testing standards, certifying companies and trialling improved practices.
In recent months, the project has entered a critical validation phase, with field trials launched directly at aquaculture farms as well as on fishing vessels and fleets.|…]The ultimate goal is to make fish welfare a recognised international standard, integrated into sustainability certification systems.
A paradigm shift that could redefine the sustainability criteria of the entire sector in the years ahead. […]
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