Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 9h

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 · 9h

💡 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.

1

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 9h

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.

1

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 9h

📊 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.

1

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 9h

🔎 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.

1

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

Together, we can build a future where seafood is not only good for people and the planet, but for the animals themselves.

#HappyAnimalDay #AnimalWelfare #EthicalSeafoodResearch #AquaticAnimalWelfare #FishWelfare #ProtectAnimals

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

The road ahead is long. From hatchery to harvest, every stage of aquaculture production offers chances to reduce suffering and improve both welfare and quality.

This World Animal Day, let's remember: animal welfare includes aquatic animals.

1

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

But progress is happening:
🔹 Fish welfare is entering policy and regulation.
🔹 Trials in Africa and Asia are proving humane harvest is possible even under tough conditions.
🔹 Farmers, scientists and policymakers are joining forces for an ethical, sustainable seafood sector.

1

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

Fish and other aquatic animals are often forgotten, even though they make up most of the farmed vertebrates on the planet. Their welfare still receives too little attention.

1

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

Today is World Animal Day! 🐟🌍🦁

We stand with organisations worldwide working to ensure all animals are treated with dignity and care.

1

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

Jane's legacy of using rigorous science to drive institutional change and promote compassion will continue to fuel our work towards a resilient aquatic food system that is free of intensive and unethical practices.

#RIP #JaneGoodall #AnimalWelfare #AquaticWelfare #Africa #Sentience #ESR

2

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

Just as Dr Goodall challenged the world to see the chimpanzee, we are driven to ensure the fair treatment of fish and other aquatic animals who are largely unseen and unheard.

1

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

Her groundbreaking, science-based approach that insisted on animals as individuals, not just 'others' is a foundational pillar of our mission.

1

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

It is with profound respect and sadness that ESR acknowledges the passing of Dame Jane Goodall. A beacon of conservation, her pioneering work with chimpanzees in Africa proved the sentience, intelligence and complex emotional lives of animals, transforming our understanding of the natural world.

1 1

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

Learn more in our latest article at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/towards-humane-harvest-aquaculture-global-momentum-u0yif

#AnimalWelfare #AquaticAnimalWelfare #Aquaculure #EthicalSeafoodResearch #FishWelfare #HumaneHarvest #Research #Science

Towards Humane Harvest in Aquaculture: Global Momentum

For fish and other aquatic animals, harvest is the moment of highest stress and suffering. For farmers, it is the stage most visible to regulators, retailers, and consumers.

www.linkedin.com

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

🔹 Animal advocates and researchers are increasingly aligned: humane harvest is not just an ethical concern, but a core part of sustainability itself.

1

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

Across the globe, momentum has been building:
🔹 The European Food Safety Authority (@efsa.europa.eu) called for stunning methods that minimise suffering.
🔹 Retailers and certification schemes are increasingly mandating that all farmed aquatic animals are slaughtered humanely.

1

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

Unlike gradual improvements in feeding or husbandry practices, harvest is a lot more binary: either aquatic animals are rendered unconscious quickly and effectively before being slaughtered, or they are not.

1

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

For fish and other aquatic animals, harvest is often one of the moments of highest stress. For producers, it is one of the most visible points in the production cycle — one that regulators, retailers and consumers have begun to scrutinise closely.

1

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

ESR researchers argue that 'harvest' remains the most urgent welfare challenge in aquaculture.

1

Reposted by Ethical Seafood Research

The World Federation for Animals @wfa.org · 9d

Wasseem Emam (@ethicalseafood.bsky.social) shares what led him to care about farmed fish and surprising facts about Nile tilapia 🐟, a fish from Egypt & one of the most farmed animals in the world.

Follow #CelebrateAllAnimals, the countdown to #WorldAnimalDay: ow.ly/VzKH50X3I44

1 1

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 7d

Joyce's wealth of knowledge in Kenyan aquaculture brings invaluable insight to our work. we are proud to have her expertise guiding our work as we continue to promote sustainable, ethical aquaculture practices in the country.

#Aquaculture #EthicalSeafoodResearch #FishWelfare #AdvisoryBoard #TeamESR

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 7d

She has worked on a number of high profile projects funded by large donors such as the Rockefeller Foundation, the African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) and USAID.

1

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 7d

In a career that has spanned both government and academia, Joyce has been at the forefront of progress in Kenyan aquaculture development.

1

Ethical Seafood Research @ethicalseafood.bsky.social · 7d

Joyce is based in the Department of Animal Production at the University of Nairobi's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine where she is an alumni. She holds a PhD in Animal Nutrition from the University of British Columbia (@news.ubc.ca) where her research focused on fish nutrition.

1