Tuna Welfare: The Next Frontier in Sustainable Fisheries
Why this multi-billion industry is at the forefront of aquatic animal welfare and how it can position itself as a leader
The global seafood industry is at a pivotal moment. As demand for ethically sourced and sustainably harvested seafood continues to rise, so too does scrutiny of fishing practices—especially when it comes to animal welfare. Tuna, a staple in international markets, and a multibillion dollar industry, is now at the center of this growing discussion. While sustainability efforts have long focused on stock management and ecosystem preservation, the welfare of the fish themselves has largely been overlooked.
That is now changing. Key industry actors like Blueyou and the FIA PNG are already leading the way by adopting tuna welfare policies, in fact, we at Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) worked with Blueyou to develop their first-ever and highly comprehensive aquatic animal welfare policy. Businesses like Blueyou realize that animal welfare policies help them stay ahead of legal risks, improve transparency, and meet evolving public demands.
Tuna welfare is not just a moral imperative; it’s a strategic priority for sustainable success. This is why ALI published our first-ever welfare guide targeting specifically tuna. Tuna is a hugely important fish both economically and ecologically. As policymakers, industry leaders, and consumers push for higher welfare standards, businesses that embrace this shift will be better positioned for long-term success.
Why Tuna Welfare Matters
Traditionally, discussions around tuna have focused on catch quota limits, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, bycatch, and fish aggregating devices (FADs). However, emerging scientific research and public sentiment indicate that welfare during capture, handling, and slaughter must also be addressed. Studies, including those from the European Food Safety Authority, highlight that common slaughter methods—such as asphyxiation, electrostimulation, and exsanguination—are not humane. Addressing these concerns is not just about ethics; it is also about product quality. Fish subjected to high-stress environments release hormones that can degrade meat quality, directly impacting market value and consumer satisfaction.
Industry Leadership: Staying Ahead of Regulation and Consumer Demand
In 2024, a EU Parliament Resolution called for the inclusion of fish welfare guidance in the next Common Fisheries Policy. And with 91% of Europeans supporting fish welfare standards on par with other farmed animals, companies that act now can lead rather than react. By implementing welfare-conscious policies now—such as banning gaffing, committing to non-entangling and biodegradable FAD fishing, incorporating humane handling and slaughter practices—companies can mitigate legal risks, enhance their brand reputation, and align with global sustainability goals.
Practical Steps Toward Higher Welfare Standards
Improving tuna welfare does not require an overhaul of industry operations; rather, it calls for incremental, evidence-based improvements. We recommend the following steps:
Benchmark and Improve Practices: Assess current capture, retrieval, and slaughter methods, identifying areas for gradual improvement.
Commit to Ethical Fishing Practices: Eliminate harmful practices such as gaffing, and avoid sourcing products derived from tuna farming. Despite claims of sustainability, bluefin tuna is a large migratory fish that requires a lot of space to swim, and confinement in cages can lead to stress, injury and high mortality.
Enhance Supply Chain Transparency: Implement 100% observer coverage—either human or electronic—to ensure compliance with welfare guidelines.
Engage with Experts: Work with animal welfare experts and scientists to create publicly available commitments and time-bound policies.
Educate and Advocate: Raising awareness within the supply chain about aquatic animal welfare ensures successful change management.
A Collaborative Path Forward
Ensuring tuna welfare is not just the responsibility of regulatory bodies or advocacy groups—it is a shared commitment across the entire supply chain. From vessel operators to processors, retailers, and consumers, each stakeholder plays a crucial role in shaping the future of responsible seafood production.
At Aquatic Life institute, we are committed to supporting companies in this transition, offering free consultations to help integrate welfare considerations into supply chain policies. This is an opportunity to ensure that ethical and sustainable seafood production go hand in hand.
By Christine Xu, Head of Fisheries Welfare
Christine is the Head of Fisheries Welfare at Aquatic Life Institute, where she leads ALI's efforts in advocating for improved animal welfare standards in capture fisheries with international institutions and the private sector.
Christine has extensive experience in international ocean conservation, having worked with major NGOs in Washington, DC, including using geospatial technology to track fishing vessels and deter illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Originally from Tianjin, China, Christine grew up in California and now resides in Spain. She holds dual bachelor’s degrees from UC San Diego and a master’s degree in Corporate Responsibility from EOI Business School in Madrid.