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. 

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

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.