NEW REPORT SHOWCASES THE MOST INNOVATIVE WELFARE PRACTICES FOR MARINE CAPTURE FISHERIES

New report showcases the most innovative welfare practices for marine capture fisheries.  Aquatic Life Institute publishes fourth edition of report, highlighting the most progressive welfare practices and spotlighting innovative companies

Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) has published the fourth edition of their Marine Capture Fisheries: Innovative Practices for Aquatic Animal Welfare report, showcasing ground-breaking research and technological advancements that are transforming animal welfare in capture fisheries worldwide. The practices featured in the 2025 Report help reduce harm to aquatic life and the marine ecosystem during capture, retrieval, onboard handling, stunning, and slaughter—key processes that affect fish welfare and sustainability in commercial fishing.

While many innovative solutions exist, integrating them into commercial fisheries remains complex due to challenges such as mixed-species catches, limited deck space, and harsh sea conditions. Despite these obstacles, forward-thinking fishing companies are adopting higher welfare practices while research institutions and start-ups are actively collaborating with industry through field trials. The report encourages this industry collaboration by showcasing successful partnerships between fisheries, researchers, and technology providers working to implement humane fishing practices.

Many of the innovations featured help improve welfare while also promoting sustainability in reducing bycatch, habitat damage, and ghost gear, contributing to healthier ocean ecosystems. Additionally, the report illustrates how higher welfare practices lead to better product quality, longer shelf life, and higher market value. For example, enhancing the welfare of aquatic animals during capture by employing methods such as shorter fishing durations and smaller catch volumes minimize stress levels and injury in target and non-target species. Lower stress results in reduced lactic acid build-up, improving flesh quality and extending shelf life.

“Our Innovative Practices Report addresses a major gap in wild capture fisheries: Aquatic animal welfare is often overlooked by the fishing sector, yet they make up the largest group of animals impacted by human activity,” said Christine Xu, Head of Fisheries Welfare. “We hope that it encourages more industry leaders to adopt aquatic animal welfare commitments and to opt for innovative, high-welfare fishing practices that enhance sustainability and profitability.”

With their Innovative Practices Report, ALI aims to accelerate progress in broader adoption of these innovations, stronger regulatory frameworks, and increased investment to ensure the welfare of aquatic animals. The report serves as a resource for political and corporate decision-makers, providing them with insights to draft new policies that implement cutting-edge welfare practices. As a result, producers can adopt new technologies that minimize aquatic animal suffering in capture fisheries.

About Aquatic Life Institute

Aquatic Life Institute is an international non-profit organisation that works on advancing aquatic animal welfare in both aquaculture and wild capture fisheries globally. The organisation works with certifiers, non-profits, academic institutions, industry stakeholders, governments, and the public to improve welfare of aquatic animals.

Photo by Céline Haeberly on Unsplash