A new survey released today by Compassion in World Farming and Eurogroup for Animals shows that an overwhelming 91% of people polled across nine EU countries believe the welfare of fish should be protected to the same or greater extent as other farmed animals.

The survey, carried out by Sapience, polled more than 9,000 people across nine EU countries to gauge public attitudes to aquatic animals, awareness of fish farming practices, and their consumption of fish products.

Up to one billion fish are farmed in the EU each year, and there is currently no specific legislation that takes into account their unique needs, allowing for unethical practices to persist. As a result, many experience pain and suffering in intensive farms.

Overcrowding makes them more susceptible to disease and stress, aggression and physical injuries, and starvation is commonplace. In the EU, fish are often killed inhumanely and many endure slow, painful deaths by asphyxiation, or even being gutted alive, despite extensive research demonstrating that fish are sentient beings, able to feel pleasure and pain.

The two animal welfare groups are urging the European Commission to deliver species-specific welfare provisions for farmed fish as part of the comprehensive revision of animal welfare laws.

Today, the NGOs have sent an open letter to the Commissioner-designates for Health and Animal Welfare and for Fisheries and Oceans, asking them to prioritise the publication of the remaining animal welfare proposals and to ensure high levels of protection for farmed fish and other aquatic animals. This move is backed by 4 out of 5 people polled across all nine EU countries, who are supportive of legislation that promotes best practices and the latest science to meet the unique welfare needs of farmed aquatic animals.

The poll also showed that:

Many EU citizens are oblivious to the most common fish farming methods and their consequences. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of those in Spain showed low awareness of current fish farming practices, the lowest of all the countries polled. For example, only 30% of people in Spain are aware that the percentage of fish that die during rearing on farms is substantially higher than that of farmed land animals.
71% agreed that fish can feel pain. In Czechia, 77% agreed with this statement - the highest of all countries.
Less than half (39%) of all those in the EU were aware that most farmed fish are not stunned (made unconscious) before slaughter and 70% said that stunning should be a legal requirement.

When it comes to buying fish products, an overwhelming 9 out of 10 people said they would like to buy fish raised in better welfare conditions, while over two-thirds (69%) said that they would like fish products to include clear welfare labelling that reflect how the fish were reared.

Dr Natasha Boyland, Senior Research and Policy Advisor (Aquatic Animals), at Compassion in World Farming said: “Our new survey shows that the overwhelming majority of EU citizens polled care about the welfare of farmed fish. However, many are unaware of the cruelty that can be inflicted during rearing and slaughter, and moreover, that this all occurs because they lack legal protection. Fish, like animals farmed on land, are sentient beings, who need laws to minimise their suffering. We now urge the European Commission to respond to citizens’ concerns and introduce species-specific laws for fish accordingly.”

Reineke Hameleers, CEO of Eurogroup for Animals, added: “Despite being farmed by the billions, extensive studies highlighting their sentience, and citizens’ demand for better protection, fish continue to be overlooked. We expect that the upcoming revision of EU animal welfare legislation will include species-specific measures to protect their needs and significantly improve welfare conditions in EU aquaculture.”

The survey was completed by 9,197 respondents in Czechia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Spain, Sweden and The Netherlands between 20 March and 5 April 2024. The surveyed samples were representative of the national population in terms of age, gender and region.

For more information please contact: media.team@ciwf.org

Notes to Editors 
1. Compassion in World Farming was founded in 1967 by a British dairy farmer who became horrified at the development of intensive factory farming. Today Compassion is the leading farm animal welfare organisation dedicated to ending factory farming and achieving humane and sustainable food. With headquarters in the UK, we have offices across Europe, in the US, China and South Africa. 
2. Eurogroup for Animals represents over ninety animal protection organisations in almost all EU Member States, the UK, Switzerland, Serbia, Norway, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, India, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand, Türkiye Ukraine, United States, Venezuela and Australia. Since its foundation in 1980, the organisation has succeeded in encouraging the EU to adopt higher legal standards for animal protection. Eurogroup for Animals reflects public opinion through its members and has both the scientific and technical expertise to provide authoritative advice on issues relating to animal protection. Eurogroup for Animals is a founding member of the World Federation for Animals which unites the animal protection movement at the global level.

3. Survey details can be found here.

4. Factsheet with key findings of survey is here.

9 out of 10 people polled across nine EU countries want better protection for farmed fish