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.

At Seafood Expo North America in March 2025, Aquatic Life Institute team members engaged in discussions and made connections with stakeholders aligned with our vision for a more humane and sustainable seafood industry.

Co-op, one of the largest food retailers in the UK, has taken a progressive stance on aquatic animal welfare by achieving 100% ablation-free prawns in their supply chain and committing to implement electrical stunning for all farmed prawns by 2027.

While global efforts against the practice have spurred action, one lingering question remains: What’s happening with Nueva Pescanova’s controversial octopus farm in Spain?

We are thrilled to announce that Aquatic Life Institute has been recognized as one of the most effective animal charities in the world according to Animal Charity Evaluators’ 2024 recommendations. 

This year, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) was ranked second in the Benchmark, with a score of 7.3 out of 10. 

The media celebrates the new law as a testament to effective advocacy and collaboration among organizations who raised awareness about the ethical, environmental, and public health issues associated with farming octopuses.

We interviewed Maria Filipa Castanheira, Fish Health and Welfare Standards Manager at Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), to learn about the process that led to ASC’s top ranking in this year’s Benchmark.

Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) is thrilled to announce the release of the 3rd edition of our Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark: Aquatic Animal Welfare. This annual report evaluates the welfare standards of 8 global seafood certification schemes and, for the first time, an international ratings agency.

On September 27th, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 3162, the California Oppose Cruelty to Octopuses (OCTO) Act into law, prohibiting octopus farming and the sales of commercially farmed octopus products in California.

The 5th Annual Aquatic Life Conference was a resounding success, bringing together 860 registrants and 18 globally diverse speakers to discuss the future of the seafood industry through the lens of Aquatic Life Institute’s 4Rs framework: Reduce, Refine, Replace, and Reject.

Aquatic Life Institute has supported major companies, Tesco and Hilton Foods, in producing comprehensive crustacean welfare policies, both released this month.

We are thrilled to share groundbreaking news in our Octopus Farming Ban Campaign. U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Lisa Murkowski have introduced a federal bill to ban the commercial farming of octopuses, as well as the importation and sale of commercially farmed octopus.

From May 16-19, Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) attended the Animal and Vegan Advocacy (AVA) Summit in Washington, DC, where more than 800 animal advocates convened, and over 70 sessions took place to strengthen our advocacy efforts for animals in the global food system.

For the first time, the topic of animal welfare was incorporated into the official program of the Seafood Expo Global, gaining prominence alongside pressing issues such as climate change, labor rights, and sustainability.

Aquatic Life Institute has both led and contributed to a global campaign to ban octopus farming since 2022. We are adamantly opposed to the establishment of this industry as there are a myriad of animal welfare, environmental, public health and community wellbeing concerns regarding exploiting octopuses in intensive settings.

From March 3-7, Aquatic Life Institute’s team members, Christine Xu and Sophika Kostyniuk, attended the 9th World Fisheries Congress in Seattle. This gathering serves as a global platform for fisheries managers and scientists to tackle the complex challenges facing aquatic ecosystems.

At Seafood Expo North America in Boston in early March, Aquatic Life Institute team members engaged in discussions and made connections with stakeholders aligned with our vision for a more humane and sustainable seafood industry.

In a groundbreaking move for aquatic animal welfare, Washington House Bill 1153, which prohibits octopus farming in the state, has been officially signed into law, and is the first law of its kind in the world.

2023 marks the hottest year on record. Our oceans, the world's largest carbon sink, are experiencing unprecedented threats from multiple fronts. Our team will be at COP28 to ensure holistic climate policies that include ocean conservation and aquatic animal welfare.