Australia is a federation of six sovereign States and two self-governing Territories. The Australian Commonwealth Government deals with animal welfare in the context of trade and international agreements, working with exporters to maintain international export standards. States and Territories have the primary jurisdiction for day-to-day animal welfare and enforcing animal welfare law within Australia. Hence it is at the State and Territory level that protection is afforded to animals through law.
What constitutes an “animal” under welfare laws across Australia is not consistent. In Australia it is generally accepted that terrestrial animals, including dogs, cats, birds, cows and horses, are sentient and uniformly these animals are well protected in animal welfare legislation. Protection afforded to fish, on the other hand, is not so uniform under Australia’s animal welfare laws; protection afforded to crustaceans and cephalopods even less so. However, public (consumer) sentiment with respect to these animals is changing. This sentiment is driving change which is being reflected in changes to animal welfare laws in Australia.
It is critically important that those involved in the care and husbandry of fish, including aquaculturalists, commercial wild catch and recreational fishers, are aware of, and understand, the current animal welfare legislation in their jurisdiction of operation and in any changes that may be occurring.
In 2006, a major review of Australia’s fish welfare arrangements was conducted. In 2022, a subsequent review was completed which included a comprehensive review of current animal welfare laws as it pertains to fish, crustaceans and cephalopods. As part of this contemporary review, four online workshops were held to present and discuss the current aquatic animal welfare legislation to fisheries sector stakeholders at the State and Territory level. Attendees at these workshops included stakeholders from government agencies, aquaculture, commercial wild harvest and recreational fishers and animal welfare advocate groups, including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and Animals Australia. Each workshop included two group discussion sessions, to capture stakeholder perspective on the information provided.
The presentation will present the findings of this major review of fish welfare laws in Australia and will also discuss the perspective of stakeholders attending the workshops. Implications of how Australia’s changing animal welfare environment may impact commercial operators will also be discussed.