Paris: Compassion in World Farming hosted its prestigious Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards today, celebrating nearly 50 organizations for their commitment to enhancing animal welfare. Several key players from the aquaculture industry were recognized for introducing groundbreaking practices aimed at raising welfare standards for aquatic species.
Regal Springs, a Swiss aquaculture company operating in Honduras, Indonesia, and Mexico, took home the Aquaculture Innovation Award for prioritizing fish welfare across all phases of production. The company was also lauded for its initiatives to support local communities and its continuous investments in research to advance sustainable practices. “This award represents a major milestone for us,” said Laurent Develle, Head of Corporate Affairs at Regal Springs. “After years of focused research, it is gratifying to have our efforts recognized. Our goal is to inspire other farmers to prioritize fish welfare.”
Dutch retailer Albert Heijn was honored with a Special Recognition Award for its efforts to improve shrimp welfare through collaboration with the Shrimp Welfare Project. The supermarket chain has introduced innovative changes to its supply chain, including lowering stocking densities and implementing electrical stunning methods to ensure more humane treatment.
Marks & Spencer, a leading British retailer, also earned a Special Recognition Award for its partnership with FAI Farms. The initiative aims to eliminate harmful practices in shrimp farming by creating a welfare monitoring system and providing farmers with resources to improve shrimp care throughout their life cycle. The program has not only removed mutilation practices but also advanced welfare standards across the supply chain.
Cermaq, a major Chilean salmon producer, was recognized for adopting humane stunning methods, making it one of the largest producers in the industry to implement such ethical slaughter techniques.
“This year’s awards are a powerful reminder that aquaculture species deserve the same level of care as land animals,” said Dr. Tracey Jones, Global Director of Food Business at Compassion in World Farming. “Our winners have shown that by embracing humane practices, the aquaculture sector can eliminate outdated methods and pave the way for better welfare systems.”
The event highlights a growing shift in the industry toward sustainability and ethical production, proving that advancements in welfare are not only possible but essential to the future of aquaculture.
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