Summary: This post discusses our farm program in India, the Alliance for Responsible Aquaculture (ARA), which uses water quality improvements and stocking density reductions to improve the lives of farmed fishes. Specifically, we discuss the following tactical adjustments we have made to strengthen the ARA’s theory of change: improved ammonia measurements, reviewing our corrective actions, and improving our method for monitoring stocking density.
The ARA’s Theory of Change
FWI’s mission is to improve the welfare of fishes as much as possible. Currently, our main program to achieve this is the Alliance for Responsible Aquaculture (ARA) where 150 farms are committed to improving the welfare of their fishes. To date, the ARA has enabled us to help an estimated 2.2 million fishes.
The program focuses on two main interventions: monitoring water quality and limiting stocking density. Both these may ultimately lead to improved water quality and thus a better living environment for fishes on farms.
How It Works
We visit farms for monthly (or more frequent) monitoring visits and provide corrective actions when we identify poor water quality. Our team then revisits the farm within two days to ensure water quality has improved.
We also ask farmers to adhere to our stocking density limits when joining the ARA. If they have more fishes than our limit allows, we require them to reduce their stocking density in the following farming cycle.
These two interventions matter because they help prevent situations where fishes suffer in overcrowded, oxygen-deprived environments or ammonia and pH levels that cause them distress. Some fishes may suffer in these conditions for days, weeks, or even months (in the case of severely high stocking densities). We believe it is our responsibility to help prevent and alleviate these welfare issues.
Investigating Our Theory of Change
In August 2024, we initiated an investigation of our Theory of Change to identify and validate the ARA’s key assumptions.
Improving The Accuracy of Our Water Quality Measurements
Accurate water quality measurements are crucial for identifying issues in fishes’ environment. We conducted various experiments comparing our current methods for Dissolved Oxygen, pH, and ammonia to the gold standard methods and ultimately decided to adjust our measurement method for ammonia—you can read more about this in our internal report.
Verifying Our Corrective Actions
We also revisited the corrective actions required for farms with poor quality. Under consultation of FWI’s fish welfare experts and external aquaculture professionals, we validated and improved our existing corrective action protocols.
Testing Monitoring Approaches for Stocking Densities
Stocking density plays a crucial role in welfare with our limits set at 3,000 fishes/acre for grow-out farms and 50,000 fishes/acre for breedout farms (the life stage before growout in Indian major carp farming). However, accurate monitoring has been a persistent challenge because we rely on farmers telling us this number after they stocked their farms.
To improve accuracy, we now cross-check stocking numbers with post-harvest ones. While this process isn’t perfect—it frequently still relies on self-reported data—it is a step forward and allows us to verify the stocking density farmers initially reported.
Looking Ahead
These updates mark a significant step forward for the ARA and they are part of a continuous journey towards a stronger program. We’ll share more insights soon, including updates on our water quality prediction model and our plans for 2025!
We are also currently fundraising for next year and would appreciate it if you consider supporting our work.
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