Question 1

Why focus on fish welfare?

Accepted Answer

Fish are the most farmed and harvested animals on the planet by number, yet they receive a fraction of the attention given to other farmed species. The scientific evidence that fish are sentient and can experience pain and distress has grown substantially, while welfare standards, policy, and public awareness have not kept pace — particularly in Africa, where aquaculture is expanding rapidly.

Question 2

Do fish feel pain?

Accepted Answer

A growing body of peer-reviewed research indicates that fish have the neurological and behavioural capacity to experience pain and distress. Leading scientific and veterinary bodies increasingly recognise fish sentience, which is why welfare considerations that apply to other farmed animals are now being extended to fish.

Question 3

How are donations used?

Accepted Answer

Donations fund our core programme areas: research on farmed and wild-caught fish welfare, direct engagement with farmers to adopt welfare-positive practices, policy advocacy, and the organisational capacity needed to sustain this work. As a young organisation, we are deliberate and transparent about how funds translate into research, engagement, and advocacy outputs.

Question 4

Why does Fish Welfare Africa focus on Kenya first?

Accepted Answer

Kenya is one of Africa's leading aquaculture and fisheries nations, with a vibrant cage-farming sector on Lake Victoria and strong research institutions. Starting in Kenya lets us build rigorous, locally-grounded evidence and practical partnerships that can inform fish welfare work across the wider region.

Question 5

How do you measure impact?

Accepted Answer

As a young organisation, we are building our measurement systems alongside our programmes. We track research outputs, farmer engagement and adoption of welfare practices, and policy engagement milestones, and we report honestly on where we are against our roadmap rather than overstating early results.

Question 6

Is Fish Welfare Africa affiliated with other fish welfare organisations?

Accepted Answer

Fish Welfare Africa is an independent Kenyan non-profit. We draw on the growing global fish welfare field for evidence and best practice, and we actively seek partnerships with research institutions, universities, governments, and organisations working on related issues in Africa and internationally.

Question 7

How can my organisation partner with Fish Welfare Africa?

Accepted Answer

We welcome partnerships with funders, research institutions, universities, government agencies, and corporate CSR programmes. Reach out through our contact page and our team will follow up to discuss how we can work together.

Questions donors and partners actually ask

Read more about our research and roadmap