At the Blue Food Innovation Summit in London this year, aquatic animals were present throughout the conversation, though often in indirect ways. They appeared through questions about production, efficiency, disease, and risk: all issues that matter deeply to the future of aquaculture. But those questions do not always lead to a more direct one: What are these systems like for the animals living inside them?

At this year’s Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, one thing was clear: aquatic animal welfare is rapidly emerging as a core component of ESG in the seafood sector.

Through our conversations at SENA, it's clear that industry actors recognize the relevance of aquatic animal welfare. Questions are arising, and many companies are still looking for the right roadmap to adopt and implement meaningful change.

Over the past 3 years, we have witnessed unprecedented growth in corporate welfare commitments for aquatic animals. Worldwide, retailers, producers, and other market actors are increasingly recognizing that aquatic animal welfare is a central pillar to achieve a more resilient, high-quality, and ethical supply chain.

The Committee’s endorsement signals a growing consensus that industrial octopus farming is not compatible with responsible ocean stewardship or with current understandings of cephalopod cognition and welfare.

Aquatic Life Institute was on the ground in Belém to bring an urgent message: Aquatic animals must be part of global climate–food system solutions.

Two separate breakthroughs, one on biodiversity protection in the high seas, the other on harmful fishing subsidies, are finally moving from talk to law. Together, they can start to change life at sea for whales, sharks, tuna, squid, and the trillions of other aquatic animals we rarely see.

Where did aquatic animal welfare show up and where do we go from here? Aquatic Life Institute shares key takeaways from the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in Nice.

After five years of strategic engagement, coalition-building, and persistent advocacy, Aquatic Life Institute welcomes the launch of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council’s (ASC) newly unified Farm Standard.

The AVA Summit in Los Angeles was more than just an annual gathering for the movement, it was a moment to reflect on how far aquatic animal advocacy has come, and where we need to go together.

Last week, our team attended Seafood Expo Global 2025 (SEG25) in Barcelona, Spain and were inspired to see how much visibility aquatic animal welfare continues to gain across the seafood sector.

As we reach the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, our oceans continue to face immense challenges. This year presents a crucial juncture for us to accelerate protections and drive meaningful change for the future of our oceans.

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.