Fish that are approved by eco-labelling schemes and sold in leading supermarkets led miserable lives in grossly overcrowded cages and died slowly and painfully, according to an investigation by an animal welfare group.
Most shoppers are confused by the labels and do not realise that the schemes either have no welfare standards or weak rules, a survey by Compassion in World Farming revealed.
Many farmed fish certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council are dumped in ice slurry, where they thrash about, fighting for their lives while slowly suffocating, the charity said.
It accused the Marine Stewardship Council, which certifies wild-caught fish, of allowing them to suffer for many hours during capture, including being gutted or having their gills cut while fully conscious. It said none