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The Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards, held in Paris today by the animal welfare charity Compassion in World Farming, recognised almost 50 winners for their work to improve farm animal welfare. Amongst these winners, several businesses related to the aquaculture industry were highlighted for their notable achievements and innovations.
Regal Springs, a Swiss-based company which produces tilapia in Honduras, Indonesia, and Mexico, received the Aquaculture Innovation Award for its commitment to fish welfare. Also highlighted was the work of the company to improve social and health initiatives that support local communities, in addition to its ongoing investment in research and development to promote responsible farming practices.
“This is a critical milestone for Regal Springs. Fish welfare is our priority at all stages of the farming process and after 3 years of hard R&D work we are pleased to receive this award to recognise the hard work of our teams and inspire other fish farmers," said Laurent Develle, head of corporate affairs at Regal Springs, in a press release.
Albert Heijn, a leading supermarket chain in the Netherlands, received a Special Recognition award for its work to establish a collaborative supply chain to improve shrimp welfare. The retailer is working with the Shrimp Welfare Project to reduce stocking densities and introduce electrical stunning protocols with its suppliers.
A Special Recognition award was also received by the British retailer Marks & Spencer for its work alongside FAI Farms to develop a shrimp welfare monitoring protocol. This initiative not only aims to enhance shrimp welfare but also supports scientific research to address knowledge gaps and drive progress. By successfully establishing a shrimp supply chain free from mutilations, they are directly improving welfare standards, and by providing farmers with training and tools, they are advancing all aspects of shrimp welfare across their entire life cycle.
Finally, the Chilean salmon producer Cermaq received an award for its commitment to human stunning methods, which make it the second-largest Atlantic salmon producer to adopt this type of slaughter policy.
“It’s particularly encouraging to see innovation in aquaculture being recognised this year. Aquaculture species are sentient beings and their welfare is just as important as that of land animals. Recognition of their specific needs is becoming more widely acknowledged and our winners demonstrate that humane slaughter is achievable and that abhorrent practices can be eliminated,” said Dr Tracey Jones, global director for food business at Compassion in World Farming.
