Aquaculture

Our Work On Aquaculture

Overview

Aquaculture refers to the farming of aquatic organisms, including finfish, crustaceans, mollusks, plants, and algae for human use. Aquaculture has been practiced by cultures around the globe for millennia. However, as global fish stocks decline, and the negative consequences of land-based animal agriculture become increasingly obvious, aquaculture has been touted as a sustainable solution to meet the dietary needs of a growing global population.

Its proponents argue that the “blue economy” will revolutionize the global food system. Indeed, the farming of aquatic animals is the fastest-growing sector in agriculture in the United States and worldwide, with global production of aquatic species tripling over the past two decades. Amid such rapid growth, the significant animal welfare and environmental ramifications of an increasingly industrialized aquaculture sector have largely been ignored.

Fish Farming and Octopus Farming are discussed in-depth on subsequent pages. Decapod crustaceans (lobsters, shrimp) are discussed below.

Decapod Crustaceans

The increasing scientific recognition of sentience in decapod crustaceans, lobsters, shrimp, and crabs has led to increasing concern over their welfare in connection with human uses. Research reveals that these animals possess complex nervous systems and exhibit behaviors indicative of pain perception and cognitive awareness.

Decapods have been shown to not only respond to noxious stimuli, but also to learn new things and interact socially, all of which imply a level of consciousness and subjective experience. Despite mounting evidence of their sentience, however, legal and ethical considerations surrounding the treatment of decapod crustaceans vary widely across jurisdictions, with many countries lacking specific regulations or protections for these animals. Nonetheless, there is a growing movement advocating greater recognition of decapod sentience and implementation of welfare standards to mitigate the suffering these animals experience in various industries, including aquaculture and culinary practices.