2024 Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark: Aquatic Animal Welfare

October 2024, Edition 3

Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) has launched the third edition of a welfare-based aquaculture certification benchmark tool that analyzes current welfare requirements within the primary farming standards of 8 global seafood certification schemes and 1 international ratings agency. The areas of assessment include water quality, stocking density and space requirements, environmental enrichment, feed composition, stunning and slaughter, neglected species prohibitions, and additional considerations.  

 
 

Notes:

* ASC has not prohibited octopus farming outright, but has stated that octopus farming is not under consideration under their new species selection framework; therefore, cephalopod farming is not being considered by ASC for the foreseeable future

* ALI would like to inform of an error identified in the final version of the benchmark. On page 48, it incorrectly states that GAP does not have a ban on insects in feed, when in fact, GAP does maintain a ban on insects in feed. As we are unable to modify the final version of the document, please consider this note as an official correction.

* Certification standard revision cycles are dynamic and varied across each certification program. Updates reflect evolving best practices and industry pressures. To address this, we accept draft versions of certification standards during the evaluation process, understanding that some current language may soon be outdated. This approach ensures the benchmark remains relevant and forward-looking, capturing the trajectory of improvements, even if the final language is not yet formalized. It also allows us to account for ongoing reforms and enables stakeholders to advocate for timely changes before they become entrenched in outdated frameworks.

 
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Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark: Aquatic Animal Welfare Year - Year Comparison Table