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Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) has launched the fifth edition of the Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark. In 2026, the report evaluated 12 certification schemes and 2 rating agencies, representing the broadest scope of the Benchmark to date, expanding the geographic and regulatory diversity represented in the assessment while strengthening its global relevance.
Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) has launched the fifth edition of the Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark. In 2026, the report evaluated 12 certification schemes and 2 rating agencies, representing the broadest scope of the Benchmark to date, expanding the geographic and regulatory diversity represented in the assessment while strengthening its global relevance.
A snapshot of the 2026 Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark results and key insights.
Learn how ALI’s Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark can help businesses to make responsible, informed sourcing decisions that prioritize aquatic animal welfare
Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) has launched the fourth edition of the Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark. In 2025, the report evaluated 9 certification schemes and 2 rating agencies, providing a comprehensive overview of how welfare commitments are currently embedded across leading global standards.
CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Advocacy charity Animals Aotearoa wrote to every New Zealand political party, requesting that they include a commitment to prohibit commercial octopus farming in their policy platforms for the upcoming election. The letter, cosigned by the Aquatic Animal Alliance coalition of 177 organizations across 75 countries - including NZ-based SPCA and SAFE - points to scientific evidence that octopuses are highly sentient animals with advanced cognitive abilities.
Between October 8–15, 2025, member organizations of the Aquatic Animal Alliance in Mexico carried out a coordinated campaign under the slogan #NoALasGranjasDePulpos (No to octopus farms) to raise awareness about octopus sentience and the risks associated with octopus farming
As wild octopus populations decline, the aquaculture industry is pushing for a new frontier: farming octopuses in captivity. This is not a viable solution—it’s a dangerous detour.
OCTOPUS FARMING BAN
The Animal Protection Blueprint for Industrial Aquaculture establishes a set of principles to help reduce suffering of billions of farmed aquatic animals today while preventing the expansion of industrial aquaculture into new species, production systems, and regions. It is authored by Aquatic Life Institute, the Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS), and the Multispecies Collective.
“Harmonizing Health and Welfare” underscores the need to treat animal health and animal welfare as complementary yet distinct pillars of sustainable aquaculture. This reflects the industry's dual responsibility to maintain the biological health of aquatic animals while enhancing their overall quality of life.
WELFARE GUIDES
Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) has launched the fifth edition of the Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark. In 2026, the report evaluated 12 certification schemes and 2 rating agencies, representing the broadest scope of the Benchmark to date, expanding the geographic and regulatory diversity represented in the assessment while strengthening its global relevance.
Learn how ALI’s Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark can help businesses to make responsible, informed sourcing decisions that prioritize aquatic animal welfare
Learn how ALI’s Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark can help businesses to make responsible, informed sourcing decisions that prioritize aquatic animal welfare
Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) has launched the fourth edition of the Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark. In 2025, the report evaluated 9 certification schemes and 2 rating agencies, providing a comprehensive overview of how welfare commitments are currently embedded across leading global standards.
Aquatic Life Institute has put together a helpful guide to illustrate how carbon emissions relate to seafood supply chains, including both aquaculture and wild fisheries, and to outline what your company can do to tackle these challenges.
CORPORATE
POLICY REFORM
Discover new research and technologies shaping a more ethical future in the fifth edition of ALI’s “Marine Capture Fisheries: Innovative Practices for Aquatic Animal Welfare” Report
CAPTURE FISHERIES
The Animal Protection Blueprint for Industrial Aquaculture establishes a set of principles to help reduce suffering of billions of farmed aquatic animals today while preventing the expansion of industrial aquaculture into new species, production systems, and regions. It is authored by Aquatic Life Institute, the Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS), and the Multispecies Collective.
Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) has launched the fifth edition of the Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark. In 2026, the report evaluated 12 certification schemes and 2 rating agencies, representing the broadest scope of the Benchmark to date, expanding the geographic and regulatory diversity represented in the assessment while strengthening its global relevance.
Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) has launched the fourth edition of the Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark. In 2025, the report evaluated 9 certification schemes and 2 rating agencies, providing a comprehensive overview of how welfare commitments are currently embedded across leading global standards.
“Harmonizing Health and Welfare” underscores the need to treat animal health and animal welfare as complementary yet distinct pillars of sustainable aquaculture. This reflects the industry's dual responsibility to maintain the biological health of aquatic animals while enhancing their overall quality of life.
AQUACULTURE
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GENERAL RESOURCES
Our 2025 Annual Report examines how ALI brought the invisible majority into focus throughout our defined Spheres of Influence this year. We invite you to take a deep dive in the featured case studies, which illustrate how ALI exerts scientific expertise, global coordination power, institutional credibility, and cross-sector relevance to achieve impact.
Our 2025 Half-Year Report explores ALI’s newly defined sphere of influence and our process for impact measurement through the stages of Recognition, Protection, and Prioritization - all illustrated through several detailed case studies.
In 2024, Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) reached key milestones across all of our pillars of work, supported by evidence-based research carried out by our research team.
IMPACT REPORTS
The Animal Protection Blueprint for Industrial Aquaculture
The Animal Protection Blueprint for Industrial Aquaculture establishes a set of principles to help reduce suffering of billions of farmed aquatic animals today while preventing the expansion of industrial aquaculture into new species, production systems, and regions. It is authored by Aquatic Life Institute, the Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS), and the Multispecies Collective.
2026 Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark
Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) has launched the fifth edition of the Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark. In 2026, the report evaluated 12 certification schemes and 2 rating agencies, representing the broadest scope of the Benchmark to date, expanding the geographic and regulatory diversity represented in the assessment while strengthening its global relevance.
2025 Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark
Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) has launched the fourth edition of the Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark. In 2025, the report evaluated 9 certification schemes and 2 rating agencies, providing a comprehensive overview of how welfare commitments are currently embedded across leading global standards.
Harmonizing Animal Health and Welfare in Modern Aquaculture: Innovative Practices for a Sustainable Seafood Industry
“Harmonizing Health and Welfare” underscores the need to treat animal health and animal welfare as complementary yet distinct pillars of sustainable aquaculture. This reflects the industry's dual responsibility to maintain the biological health of aquatic animals while enhancing their overall quality of life.
2024 Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark: Aquatic Animal Welfare
An Industry Shift Towards Environmental Enrichment in Aquaculture
Key Welfare Recommendations for Whiteleg Shrimp in Aquaculture
Stunning and Slaughter: Best Practices for Animal Welfare in Aquaculture
Key Animal Welfare Recommendations for Aquaculture
2023 Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark: Aquatic Animal Welfare
