The world celebrates World Aquatic Animal Day, a day dedicated to showing appreciation and highlighting the significance of aquatic animals. Launched by the Aquatic Animal Law Initiative as part of the Animal Law Clinic and Center for Animal Law Studies, this day is all about raising awareness through law, policy, education and advocacy to meet the immense challenges that aquatic animals face. The term “aquatic animals” encompasses all animals that live in the water for most of their lives: fish, amphibians, marine mammals, crustaceans, reptiles, molluscs, aquatic birds, aquatic insects and even animals such as starfish and corals. These animals play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy planet and life on planet. Despite their importance, many people lack knowledge about marine life, which leads to the overconsumption, neglect and abuse of aquatic animals. Shedding light on our impact on aquatic animals is critical as *trillions* of animals are being caught in the oceans while billions are farmed, both under conditions of extremely high suffering and low welfare. Of course, there are also challenges of overfishing, bycatch, ghostgear and animal abuse. Groups such as the Aquatic Animal Law Initiative are combining their passion for the marine environment and their knowledge of the law to help protect these vulnerable aquatic animals.
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