ISSUE FOCUS 36 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE August 2025 As the global demand for seafood rises, aquaculture is increasingly promoted as a “sustainable” solution. However, most sustainability strategies have focused narrowly on inputs, emissions, and productivity, overlooking the welfare and quality of life of the animals being farmed. This oversight results in severe consequences not only for aquatic animals, but for food system resilience, product quality, feed efficiency, and longterm industry trust. Improving animal welfare should not be viewed as an ethical afterthought, but as a systems-level challenge and opportunity. Improvements can ultimately strengthen public health outcomes, align with global climate goals, and foster more adaptive, transparent supply chains. FROM RECOGNITION TO REFORM: ALI’S SYSTEMS APPROACH Our strategy isn’t about fixing one link in the seafood chain. It’s about shifting the entire system. We work within the industry to recognize the importance of positive animal welfare, embed protections through enforceable standards, and prioritize welfare in decisions around feed, species selection, and investment. We do this by: ● Publishing science-based recommendations through peer-reviewed research and benchmark tools; ● Advising certifiers and seafood ratings agencies on how to meaningfully strengthen welfare criteria; ● Engaging with impactful, multi stakeholder platforms; ● And assisting governments and retailers to redefine what sustainability means in the global seafood system. This multifaceted approach enables ALI to operate as a “gateway to change”, supporting both immediate progress and long-term structural reform. FEED INNOVATION WITH WELFARE AT THE CENTER Feed is often framed as an environmental concern, but it’s also an animal welfare issue. The sourcing, digestibility, and palatability of feed can directly influence aquatic animals’ health, behavior, and stress Aquaculture systems are increasingly promoted as sustainable—but most strategies ignore the welfare of farmed animals. Aquatic animal welfare is the key missing pillar of sustainable aquaculture. From feed reformulation to certification standards, Aquatic Life Institute is helping reshape the system to improve resilience, reduce suffering, and future-proof global seafood. A closer look reveals how redefining species choice, feed practices, and certification may be the way forward. Rethinking Aquaculture Systems: ALIGNING ANIMAL WELFARE WITH SUSTAINABILITY GOALS Tessa Gonzalez Head of Research Aquatic Life Institute
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUxNjkxNQ==