Aquatic Animals

Mark your calendar for June 5, 2026 to advance protections for aquatic animals

This World Farmed Animals Day, the Center for Animal Law Studies highlights recent developments advancing offshore aquaculture in U.S. federal waters, potentially subjecting billions of aquatic animals to factory farming in the open ocean.

The practice of shark finning is not only cruel and disturbing, it is also ecologically detrimental. 

Exploitation has driven ray species to the brink; emerging action in international law suggests that stronger protections for rays may be necessary.

Visiting Assistant Professor Hira Jaleel explains aquaculture’s adverse impacts on animal welfare, wild fish stocks and local communities, and highlights the need for legal reform.

Erica Lyman, Clinical Professor and Director of the Global Law Alliance for Animals and the Environment, calls for greater international oversight of the aquarium trade.

This year commemorates the 15-year anniversary of the Center for Animal Law Studies’ founding. In honor of this milestone, we reflect on the remarkable growth of animal law education since CALS opened its doors in 2008 and some of our key achievements.

Across the globe, aquatic animals and oceans are in peril due to industrial-scale fishing.

In honor of World Oceans Day, our Global Law Alliance for Animals and the Environment (GLA) dives into the perils facing the highly intelligent jumbo flying squid and their importance to marine ecosystems.

A new law in Panama recognizes the rights of sea turtles. In our latest blog, our team at the Global Law Alliance for Animals and the Environment breaks down its potential impact.