Aquatic Life Institute releases 2026 aquaculture welfare benchmark

The Aquatic Life Institute (ALI) has released the fifth edition of its Aquaculture Certification Schemes Benchmark report. This report serves as an evidence-based tool to evaluate how aquatic animal welfare is integrated into global aquaculture certification and rating frameworks.

The 2026 edition assesses the farming standards of 12 global seafood certification schemes and two international ratings agencies. This represents the broadest scope of the Benchmark to date, increasing geographic and regulatory diversity. The report notes that several certification schemes have already begun incorporating new welfare language based on previous Benchmark recommendations.

Key updates to the methodology include expanding the 'Transport Welfare Criterion' to 'Transport & Handling' to cover routine handling practices. Additionally, the Benchmark now evaluates 'Antimicrobial Misuse' as a core prohibition, acknowledging the welfare impacts of unjustified or prophylactic antimicrobial use. The reviewed organizations influence the treatment of tens of billions of aquatic animals annually.