Aquaculture, often heralded as a sustainable alternative to overfishing, is increasingly facing criticism for its ethical and environmental impacts. In “Why Opposing Aquaculture Equals Opposing Factory Farming,” we explore the striking similarities between these two industries and the pressing need to address their shared systemic issues.
The fifth anniversary of World Aquatic Animal Day (WAAD), hosted by George Washington University and Farm Sanctuary, spotlighted the plight of aquatic animals and the broader consequences of aquaculture. This event, featuring experts in animal law, environmental science, and advocacy, highlighted the inherent cruelty and ecological damage of current aquaculture practices.
Much like terrestrial factory farming, aquaculture confines animals in unnatural and unhealthy conditions, leading to significant suffering and environmental harm. The article discusses the growing body of research on the sentience of fish and other aquatic animals and legislative efforts to protect these creatures, such as the recent bans on octopus farming in Washington State and similar initiatives in California.
By shedding light on these issues, the article aims to educate the public on the urgent need for reform in both aquaculture and factory farming, advocating for a more humane and sustainable approach to animal agriculture.
Aquaculture, often touted as a sustainable solution to overfishing, is increasingly coming under scrutiny for its ethical and environmental implications. In the article “Why Opposing Aquaculture Equals Opposing Factory Farming,” we delve into the parallels between these two industries and the urgent need to address the systemic issues they share.
Hosted by George Washington University and Farm Sanctuary, the fifth anniversary of World Aquatic Animal Day (WAAD) highlighted the plight of aquatic animals and the broader impacts of aquaculture. This event, featuring experts in animal law, environmental science, and advocacy, underscored the cruelty and ecological damage inherent in aquaculture practices.
The article explores how aquaculture, much like terrestrial factory farming, confines animals in unnatural and unhealthy conditions, leading to immense suffering and environmental degradation. It also discusses the growing body of research on the sentience of fish and other aquatic animals, and the legislative efforts to protect these creatures, such as the recent ban on octopus farming in Washington State and similar initiatives in California.
By drawing attention to these issues, the article aims to educate the public on the urgent need for reform in both aquaculture and factory farming, advocating for a more humane and sustainable approach to animal agriculture.
George Washington University
Opposing Aquaculture Is Opposing Factory Farming. Here’s Why.
George Washington University
When one thinks of animal agriculture, animals like cows, pigs, sheep, and chickens probably come to mind. But more than ever before, fish and other aquatic animals are also intensively farmed for human consumption. Like factory farming, aquaculture confines animals in unnatural and unhealthy conditions and harms our environment in the process. Farm Sanctuary is working with allies to combat the spread of this cruel and destructive industry.
Thankfully, a growing body of research is shedding light on the sentience of fish and many other aquatic animals. Organizations and individuals worldwide are advocating for the protection of fish and are seeing some encouraging results. In March, animal and environmental advocates celebrated as Washington state passed a ban on octopus farms. Now, another large U.S. state may follow suit, as similar legislation in California passed in the House and awaits a vote in the Senate.
Yet, there is much work to be done, and it’s critical to educate the public about the harm this industry causes. Last month, Farm Sanctuary and George Washington University’s Aquatic Animal Law Project celebrated the fifth anniversary of World Aquatic Animal Day (WAAD), an international campaign dedicated to raising awareness about aquatic animals’ inner lives and the systemic exploitation they face. Every April 3, communities worldwide learn about the plight of marine beings from subject matter experts while engaging in a broader call to action to protect these animals through education, law, policy, and outreach.
This year’s theme was Intersectional Considerations for Aquatic Animals, as we explored how the booming aquaculture industry harms animals, people, and the planet.
Animals as Community panel presentation at GW. From left to right: Miranda Eisen, Kathy Hessler, Raynell Morris, Juliette Jackson, Elan Abrell, Lauri Torgerson-White, Constanza Prieto Figelist. Credit: George Washington University.
Moderated by Juliette Jackson, Master of Laws (LLM) Candidate, Environmental & Energy Law, George Washington University Law School
- Harmony in Diversity: Nurturing Coexistence Through Sanctuary
Lauri Torgerson-White, scientist and advocate
- The Protection of Biodiversity and Endangered Species Under the Rights of Nature Framework
Constanza Prieto Figelist, Director of the Latin America Legal Program at Earth Law Center
- Ceding Power and Affording Agency: Reflections on Building Multispecies Community
Elan Abrell, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, Animal Studies, and Science and Technology Studies at Wesleyan University
Moderated by Amy P. Wilson, Co-Founder of WAAD and Animal Law Reform South Africa
- Legislating to Protect Octopi
Steve Bennett, California State Representative who introduced AB 3162 (2024), the California Oppose Cruelty to Octopuses (OCTO) Act
- Stopping Commercial Octopus Farming Before It Starts
Jennifer Jacquet, Professor of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Miami
- Waves of Change: The Campaign to Stop Hawaii’s Octopus Farm
Laura Lee Cascada, Founder of The Every Animal Project and Sr. Director of Campaigns at the Better Food Foundation
- Stopping Octopus Farming in the EU
Keri Tietge, Octopus Project Consultant at Eurogroup for Animals
George Washington University
Some believe aquaculture is the answer to commercial fishing, an industry taking a brutal toll on our oceans. Yet, the reality is that one problem caused another. The decline in wild fish populations from commercial fishing spawned the rise of the aquaculture industry.
Around half of the world’s seafood is farmed, causing immense animal suffering, polluting our marine ecosystems, threatening the health of wildlife, and exploiting workers and communities.
Aquaculture Facts:
- Farmed fish are not counted as individuals but measured in tons, making it difficult to know how many are farmed. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimated that over 126 million tons of fish were farmed globally in 2018.
- Whether in tanks on land or nets and pens in the sea, farmed fish often suffer in crowded conditions and filthy water, leaving them vulnerable to parasites and illness.
- Workers’ rights abuses occur on fish farms, as they do on terrestrial factory farms.
- Antibiotic usage in aquaculture is projected to rise by 33% by 2030 despite warnings that antimicrobial resistance poses a global health threat.
- As bird flu and other diseases can spread from factory farms, fish farms also spread disease. Waste, parasites, and antibiotics can end up in surrounding waters.
- In 2022, researchers found that millions of tons of smaller fish caught in the global south are used to feed farmed fish sold to wealthier nations.
The good news is that there is growing awareness about the negative impacts of aquaculture and factory farming. WAAD is educating communities worldwide and encouraging them to act.
CA Residents: Take Action
Vlad Tchompalov/Unsplash
Right now, we have an opportunity to build on the success of Washington State’s ban on octopus farming in California. Working together, we can preempt the rise of octopus farming – an industry that would cause octopuses immense suffering and whose environmental impact would be “far-reaching and detrimental,” according to researchers.
California residents: Email or call your state Senator today and urge them to support A.B. 3162, the Oppose Cruelty to Octopuses (OCTO) Act. Discover who your California Senator is here and find their contact information here. Feel free to use our suggested messaging below:
“As your constituent, I urge you to support A.B. 3162 to oppose inhumane and unsustainable octopus farming in California waters. Researchers have found that octopus farming would cause suffering to millions of sentient octopuses and immense harm to our oceans, which are already facing the devastating impacts of climate change, fisheries, and aquaculture. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.”
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Notice: This content was initially published on FarmSanctuary.org and may not necessarily reflect the views of the Humane Foundation.
