About Us

Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) was founded in 2019 as a hub for aquatic animal advocacy, focusing on mobilizing, connecting, and coordinating the international aquatic animal welfare movement. Placing research, coalition groups, and advocacy campaigns under one roof means timely communication and engaged collaboration.

Aquatic animals are the largest category of animals killed for human consumption. Approximately 100 billion farmed fish, 2-3 trillion wild caught fish, and 350-400 billion farmed shrimp are killed globally for food each year. ALI is on a mission to reduce the suffering of the trillions of aquatic animals that are farmed or caught in the wild each year. Using a collaborative approach, we can generate and guide momentum for positive change. We are currently on the precipice of a global aquatic animal welfare movement, and we can ensure the work pursued in the years to come has the highest impact for the greatest number of aquatic animals. With our robust foundation in research, we have the unique opportunity to offer guidance on aquatic animal welfare, and to intervene where the humane treatment of aquatic animals is lacking.

Operating from effective altruism principles, ALI accelerates and supports activities that positively impact aquatic animals, focusing on the highest-impact welfare interventions for aquatic animals on a global scale. Our work begins with a focus on animal welfare and reducing the number of animals in the global seafood system. This translates into the long-term sustainability of marine ecosystems, ensuring a stable and resilient seafood supply and safeguarding the livelihoods of local communities dependent on seafood, thereby promoting food security and economic stability.

Accountability: Annually, we will publish and commit to goals. We ask our donors to hold us accountable to these goals. We will compare our achievements to our stated goals each year and we will be transparent in our assessment. 

Impact: We are focused on outcomes and we will seek to have the highest impact possible. We believe the greatest impact will come from comparing promising approaches, promoting collaboration and support, and striving to be as cost-effective as possible in our implementation.