Disaggregating animal welfare risks in aquaculture.

Area of Science:

• Aquaculture science
• Animal welfare
• Food security

Background:

• Aquaculture is rapidly expanding, often presented as a unified solution for global food security.
• This growth overlooks the vast taxonomic diversity within aquaculture, leading to varied welfare implications.
• Current approaches often treat aquaculture as a monolith, ignoring species-specific needs and risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the welfare risks inherent in the taxonomic diversity of aquaculture species.
• To establish species-level risk factors and evaluate their distribution across aquaculture.
• To challenge the perceived conflict between animal welfare and food security goals.

Main Methods:

• Defined seven species-level welfare risk factors (e.g., parental care, lifespan).
• Analyzed welfare risks across aquatic species reported to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
• Correlated welfare risk levels with economic contribution and production data.

Main Results:

• Welfare risks are unevenly distributed, with high risks concentrated in chordates, crustaceans, and cephalopods.
• Species with higher welfare risks were less economically productive and more costly.
• Certain species, like seaweeds and bivalves, present minimal welfare concerns and offer affordability.

Conclusions:

• Prioritizing animal welfare in aquaculture is compatible with, and can enhance, food security.
• Identifying and selecting species with lower welfare risks can lead to more sustainable and equitable aquaculture.
• Policy and consumer choices should integrate welfare considerations for a just and sustainable aquaculture future.