Aquatic animal welfare is a growing focus in the global push for more ethical and sustainable food systems. This November, the AfA Farm Animal Coalition (FAC) is thrilled to feature Ethical Seafood Research (ESR) as the organization of the month. With a particular emphasis on African aquaculture, ESR is setting new standards for how the industry can balance profitability with compassion, and tirelessly working to bridge the gap between scientific innovation and humane practices in aquaculture. Their impactful work, from developing high-welfare production systems to influencing policy on a global scale, showcases the possibilities for meaningful change in the fisheries sector. Dive into their story below to discover how ESR is shaping the future of aquaculture.
Who is Ethical Seafood Research?
Ethical Seafood Research (ESR) provides comprehensive research and educational services tailored to the dynamic needs of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors. Although they address a wide range of sustainability challenges including marine conservation, and work across various regions globally, their core expertise lies in advancing animal welfare in African aquaculture.
Their primary mission is to accelerate the adoption of humane production practices in the aquaculture sector. ESR achieves this by integrating scientific expertise with ethical considerations to develop practical, effective solutions that benefit both farmers and animals.
In addition to technical advancements, ESR engages in advocacy efforts by collaborating with governments to draft aquaculture strategies that prioritize ethical and sustainable production. This combination of science, ethics, and policy makes them a driving force for change in the industry.
What is Ethical Seafood Research doing?
ESR is deeply involved in transformative projects across Africa and beyond. They have active initiatives in Egypt, Kenya, and Tanzania (including Zanzibar), while also contributing to research in India, Nigeria, and Spain. Their work spans not only geographically specific projects but also global research into welfare practices for species like sturgeon and bluefin tuna, which are farmed for luxury markets such as caviar, sushi, and sashimi.
Here are just a few highlights of their impactful efforts:
In Egypt: ESR collaborates with a broad network of fish farmers to promote higher welfare production practices. Their activities include:
Rolling out the Tilapia Welfare App developed by FAI Farms.
Piloting the introduction of electrical pre-slaughter stunning solutions.
Exploring the creation of a smallholder certification scheme, tailored to the local context, which can hold farmers to higher standards of production.
Providing comprehensive training to farmers and stakeholders on the importance of animal welfare in aquaculture.
These initiatives have already positively impacted the lives of over 260 million individual animals, which is a testament to the program's scalability and effectiveness. Additionally, ESR recently released a report on the status of animal advocacy in Egypt, serving as a valuable resource for other advocates in the region.
In Tanzania: ESR partners on a model fish farm in the Lake Tanganyika region, setting a benchmark for high-welfare, sustainable cage farming practices for the African aquaculture sector which is rapidly expanding. This project aims to support native species aquaculture, reducing reliance on non-native species to protect one of the world's most biodiverse aquatic ecosystems.
In Zanzibar: ESR collaborates with the Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries to craft a forward-thinking aquaculture strategy. As Zanzibar transitions from seaweed farming to finfish and shellfish aquaculture, ESR has been working to embed ethical and sustainable practices into the sector from its inception. They are also tackling ethical concerns related to the potential farming of octopus, a practice that is problematic based on research by their allies in Europe and elsewhere.
Beyond these country-specific projects, ESR has formalized its commitment to advancing aquatic welfare through Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with esteemed organizations such as the African Union-InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources. Their joint efforts include publishing an influential factsheet earlier this year that underscores the critical importance of aquatic animal welfare in Africa.
Finally, ESR is working with the Global Research Network to develop a model law for aquatic animal welfare. This resource aims to empower animal lawyers and advocates to secure legal protections for aquatic animals across multiple jurisdictions, amplifying the impact of their work.
What makes Ethical Seafood Research the organization of the month?
While ESR’s achievements are numerous, their most remarkable milestone this year is the astounding reach of their Tilapia Welfare Egypt project, conducted in partnership with FAI Farms and Aquavet Egypt. This initiative has connected with over 1,000 farms, representing more than 15% of Egypt’s aquaculture sector, and improved the welfare of 260 million fish. Given Egypt's status as the world’s third-largest tilapia farming nation, this accomplishment is a significant step toward systemic, long-term change.
What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is the scalable, cost-effective approach ESR has taken to build relationships and lay the groundwork for lasting improvements. By designing a certification scheme “by farmers, for farmers,” they are ensuring that these changes are not only impactful but also sustainable and widely adoptable.
Ethical Seafood Research’s commitment to creating a more humane, sustainable aquaculture industry is nothing short of extraordinary. From implementing innovative tools and training programs to advocating for transformative policies, their work exemplifies what it means to balance ethical values with practical solutions.
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