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Ethical Seafood Research

@ethicalseafood.bsky.social

140 followers 950 following 340 posts

We conduct rigorous welfare assessments, develop new strategies, and collaborate with industry leaders to improve conditions for millions of fish. Our peer-reviewed studies and hands-on projects influence policies and practices for more ethical seafood.

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Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 19h

📄 Read the Scottish Government’s announcement:
https://www.parliament.scot/-/media/files/committees/rural-affairs-and-islands-committee/correspondence/2025/salmon-farming-in-scotland-23-september-2025.pdf

#Aquaculture #FishWelfare #SustainableSeafood #AnimalLaw #ScottishGovernment #PolicyChange

www.parliament.scot

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 19h

Congratulations to the Animal Law Foundation, @emmaroddicksnp.bsky.social, the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission, and the many others who helped make this happen.

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 19h

A big win for animal welfare — and an important move towards a more transparent, responsible and humane aquaculture sector.

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 19h

This new commitment will, for the first time, clarify what the law requires and how farmers can meet those standards, helping ensure fish receive the protections they are legally entitled to.

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 19h

Yet until now, there’s been no official guidance to support enforcement of existing welfare laws — leaving farmers and regulators without clear direction.

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 19h

Scotland is the world’s third-largest salmon producer, with around 37.7 million salmon farmed annually across more than 200 sites.

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 19h

After two years of determined legal advocacy by the @animallawfdn.bsky.social, the @scottishgovernment.bsky.social has committed to introducing official welfare guidance for farmed fish — a long-overdue step that will help protect millions of animals raised in aquaculture each year. 👏🏽

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 19h

Great news for fish welfare in Scotland 🐟🏴

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 4d

Welcome to ESR's Advisory Board, Professor Gareth!

#AnimalWelfare #AquaticAnimalWelfare #Aquaculture #EthicalSeafoodResearch #FishWelfare #FarmedFish #AdvisoryBoard #Science #Research #WelcomeProfGarethArnott

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 4d

Gareth’s depth of expertise in animal behaviour and welfare science brings invaluable perspective to our work, and we’re proud to have his guidance as we continue advancing, understanding and improving farmed fish welfare.

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 4d

He also serves as Academic Lead for the BBSRC-funded Animal Welfare Research Network, is a member of the UK government’s Animal Welfare Committee, and Director of Postgraduate Research at Queen’s.

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 4d

A pioneer in applying behavioural ecology to practical welfare challenges, including aggression, Gareth works across a wide range of species.

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 4d

His research spans fundamental behavioural ecology to applied animal welfare, with a particular focus on social interactions and decision-making in animal contests.

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 4d

Gareth is Professor of Animal Behaviour, Cognition and Welfare at the School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast (@qubelfastofficial.bsky.social).

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 4d

We’re delighted to welcome Professor Gareth Arnott as the newest member of our Advisory Board, providing support to refine our research direction.

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 5d

📅 Read more: 👉 wfa.org/un-mspp-amr-animal-welfare-publication

#AnimalWelfare #SustainableFoodSystems #PublicHealth #EthicalSeafoodResearch #AquaticWelfare #FishWelfare #AMR #OneHealth #Policy #FoodSafety

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 5d

The brief calls for:
🔹 Embedding animal welfare expertise in IPEA’s mandate
🔹 Recognising welfare as a foundation of prevention strategies
🔹 Supporting governments to integrate welfare into National Action Plans

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 5d

Why it matters:
🐟 Farmed animals receive large quantities of antimicrobials — use is projected to rise by 30% by 2040.
⚠️ Overuse fuels AMR, one of the world’s top public health threats.
✅ Stronger welfare standards in nutrition, housing, and handling reduce disease and antibiotic dependence.

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 5d

Developed by the Action Group on Animal Welfare – AMR Nexus, led by the World Federation for Animals, the paper brings together organisations including FOUR PAWS, Brooke Action for Working Horses and Donkeys, and us here at ESR, among others.

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 5d

📢 Animal welfare must be central in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The UN Multi-Stakeholder Partnership Platform on AMR has released a new policy briefing, “Embedding Animal Welfare in the IPEA Mandate: A One Health Imperative for Curbing AMR.”

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Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 6d

A special acknowledgement goes to:

Sarah Wahltinez
Christian van Rijn
Christine Huynh

#AquaticAnimalWelfare #EthicalSeafoodResearch #FishWelfare #FishWelfareResearch #EffectiveAltruism #SustainableAquaculture #Kenya

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 6d

💡 Why it matters: High-quality data is the foundation for meaningful analysis and future publication — helping to advance the global conversation on fish welfare and drive better outcomes for aquatic animals worldwide.

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 6d

This project was made possible through the support of Effective Altruism Animal Welfare Fund and in partnership with Nautilus Collaboration, Dr Mwenda Mbaka, and our Kenyan Country Director Faisal Qureshi.

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 6d

📊 Mona has been analysing data from a comprehensive baseline survey we conducted last year across Kenyan fish farms, exploring key barriers to adopting higher welfare practices.

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 6d

🔎 Behind the Research

We’re thrilled to spotlight the work of Mona Zahir, who’s been contributing to our research this summer alongside her doctoral studies in sociology at @uclacollege.bsky.social.