The Canary Islands-based company combines selective marine fish collection, animal welfare and traceability with international zoological projects and scientific research.
Canary Aquatic Live Animals, a Spanish company specialising in responsibly supplying live marine fish to public aquariums, zoological institutions, and scientific organisations, has earned Friend of the Sea certification for sustainable ornamental fish sourcing. The recognition marks an important milestone in the company’s commitment to protecting marine ecosystems, promoting responsible collection practices and ensuring high standards of animal welfare throughout its operations.
Based in the Canary Islands, Canary Aquatic Live Animals has developed a business model centred on selective, demand-driven collection, working closely with experienced local artisanal fishermen. By planning collections to meet each project’s specific requirements, the company aims to avoid unnecessary harvesting and minimise pressure on wild fish populations. This approach reflects its broader commitment to combining professional marine animal supply with respect for biodiversity and the responsible management of ocean resources.
The Friend of the Sea Ornamental Fish Standard establishes specific sustainability requirements designed to reduce the environmental impact of collecting and trading live aquatic species.
These include non-destructive collection methods, selective harvesting, compliance with applicable CITES regulations, protection of threatened species and appropriate management of collection areas. Canary Aquatic Live Animals’ responsible sourcing practices and collaboration with local fishermen align with these principles, supporting marine ecosystem conservation and the sustainable use of marine resources.
Traceability and animal welfare are also fundamental elements of the certification framework.
The Friend of the Sea standard includes chain-of-custody requirements to verify the origin of certified specimens and their sourcing from approved collectors or suppliers. Canary Aquatic Live Animals places particular emphasis on documenting the origin of its animals and carefully managing their acclimatisation, conditioning and transport. These procedures are designed to minimise stress, improve survival and support successful adaptation to their destination. By reducing animal losses, the company also seeks to limit the need for replacement collections, further connecting animal welfare with environmental sustainability.
“At Canary Aquatic Live Animals, sustainability and animal welfare are fundamental principles behind the way we work. We chose to pursue Friend of the Sea certification because we wanted our commitment to responsible and sustainable sourcing of live marine fish to be independently recognised and verified,” said Patricia Campos Salaberri Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Canary Aquatic Live Animals.
“This certification represents an important milestone for our company and reinforces the values on which Canary Aquatic Live Animals was founded: responsible collection, respect for marine ecosystems, high standards of animal welfare, and full traceability throughout the supply chain. Friend of the Sea certification also provides additional assurance to the aquariums and zoological institutions we work with, showing that the animals they receive come from a supplier committed to internationally recognised sustainability standards. We believe this certification will strengthen the trust of our partners and help promote a more responsible and sustainable approach to the supply of live marine animals for the professional aquarium sector.“
The company’s expertise is reflected in its growing involvement in international zoological projects. Among its recent achievements is the supply of more than 3,000 live fish is the supply of more than 3,000 live fish to Pairi Daiza in Belgium for the development of its new aquatic exhibits. The operation required extensive planning, specialised animal conditioning and international live-animal logistics, with particular attention to animal welfare throughout the process. The project illustrates the importance of professional expertise and careful handling in supporting the responsible movement of live marine species.
Beyond its work with public aquariums and zoological institutions, Canary Aquatic Live Animals contributes to scientific research and education through collaborations with the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), the University of La Laguna (ULL) and the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO). By supplying live marine specimens for scientific purposes, the company supports projects aimed at improving knowledge of marine species and ecosystems. These partnerships highlight the potential contribution of responsible marine animal sourcing to research, education and a greater understanding of ocean biodiversity.
“Responsible sourcing of marine species is essential to protecting ocean biodiversity and ensuring that the aquarium sector develops in a more sustainable direction,” said Paolo Bray, Director of Friend of the Sea. “Canary Aquatic Live Animals’ commitment to selective collection, traceability and animal welfare reflects the principles promoted by our certification programme. We hope this achievement will encourage more companies supplying public aquariums and research institutions to adopt independently verified sustainability standards, contributing to the long-term protection of marine ecosystems.“
For Canary Aquatic Live Animals, Friend of the Sea certification represents both independent recognition of its commitment to responsible sourcing and an incentive to continue improving its practices. Through cooperation with local fishing communities, specialised animal care and engagement with scientific institutions, the company aims to contribute to a more transparent, responsible and sustainable future for the professional marine aquarium sector.
About Friend of the Sea
Friend of the Sea is an international certification programme promoted by the World Sustainability Organization (WSO), dedicated to marine conservation and the promotion of environmentally and socially responsible practices. Through independently assessed certification standards covering fisheries, aquaculture, ornamental fish and other marine-related activities, Friend of the Sea supports the protection of marine biodiversity, responsible resource management, traceability and sustainability throughout supply chains.
Website: www.friendofthesea.org
About Canary Aquatic Live Animals
Canary Aquatic Live Animals is a Spanish company based in the Canary Islands, specialising in the responsible sourcing and supply of live marine fish to public aquariums, zoological institutions and scientific organisations worldwide. Working closely with experienced local artisanal fishermen, the company focuses on selective collection, traceability, animal welfare and environmentally responsible handling and transport. Its activities also include collaborations with universities and scientific research institutions, contributing to marine research and education.
Website: http://canaryaquaticliveanimals.com/
