Schedule

Friday, June 5, 2026

8:30-9:00 am

Breakfast/Coffee*

9:00-9:05 am - Welcome

Megan Senatori, Executive Director, Center for Animal Law Studies, Lewis & Clark Law School

9:05-10:30 am - “Aquaculture: Animals, the Environment and Public Health”

This panel examines how aquaculture intersects with animal welfare, climate change, and human health. Speakers will explore how these issues interact with the emerging aquaculture industry, as well as the ethical and policy questions raised by viewing aquaculture through animal protection, environmental, or public health lenses.

Daina Bray, Clinical Lecturer in Law, Yale Law School
Laurie Beyranevand, Professor of Law, Vermont Law & Graduate School
Kathy Hessler, Assistant Dean for Animal Law, George Washington University Law School
Clair Linzey, Deputy Director, Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics
Moderator: Iyan Offor, Assistant Professor, Birmingham Law School

10:30 am-10:45 am

BREAK

10:45 am-12:15 pm - “Global Animal Aquaculture Law”

Focusing on key aquaculture-producing regions, this panel provides an overview of today’s global aquaculture law and policy landscape. Speakers will discuss regulatory frameworks, enforcement challenges, and opportunities for aquatic animal welfare reform in Brazil, the European Union, India, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with overarching lessons for other regions.

Paula Cardoso, General Counsel, Mercy for Animals
Alice Di Concetto, Executive Director, The European Institute for Animal Law & Policy
Mo Esan, Doctoral Researcher, University of Birmingham
Rhiddhi Patel, Policy Specialist, Fish Welfare Initiative
Moderator: Hira Jaleel, Visiting Assistant Professor, Center for Animal Law Studies, Lewis & Clark Law School

12:15 pm-1:15 pm

CATERED LUNCH*

1:15 pm-2:30 pm - “Emerging Issues in Industrial Animal Aquaculture”

This panel discusses developments and opportunities to challenge the rapidly evolving aquaculture industry. Speakers will examine the legal, ethical, and policy implications of emerging topics including the role of marine protected areas, the rise of alternative proteins, and the role of AI in aquaculture.

Tom Appleby, Head of Governance and Legal Affairs, Blue Marine Foundation
Abi Penny, Executive Director, Animal Equality UK
Amy Wilson, Executive Director, Animal Law Reform South Africa
Moderator: Tessa Gonzalez, Director of Research and Impact, Aquatic Life Institute

2:30 pm- 2:45 pm

BREAK

2:45 pm- 4:15pm - “Strategies for Advocacy”

This panel focuses on diverse strategies and successful efforts to advance meaningful change in the aquaculture industry. Drawing on their experiences regarding consumer protection and shrimp welfare, observations in the field, and scholarly and legislative efforts, including octopus farming bans, speakers will share lessons learned from their on-the-ground efforts and provide recommendations for effective advocacy.

Becca Franks, Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies, NYU
Shreya Padukone, Head of Programs, Animal Law Centre, NALSAR University of Law
Sahana Ramdas, Associate Attorney, Costello, Cooney & Fearon
Moderator: Giulia Malerbi, Head of Global Policy, Aquatic Life Institute

4:15 pm- 4:50 pm - “Call to Action” and Closing Remarks

In the final session, the Center for Animal Law Studies, Aquatic Life Institute, and the Multispecies Collective will chart a path forward for aquaculture reform, identifying shared priorities and outlining opportunities for coordinated advocacy. Drawing on the symposium’s comparative and interdisciplinary discussions, this session aims to transform dialogue into action and lay the groundwork for continued collaboration.

5:00 pm- 6:00 pm

RECEPTION*

*All food provided will be plant-based