As exposés pile up, how can salmon welfare be improved?

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Footage of “systemic and extreme animal suffering” at three Scottish open-net fish farms has raised new questions over the sector’s animal welfare standards

The undercover footage, brought to light last week by campaign group Animal Equality, revealed numerous incidents of poor treatment on sites operated by some of the UK’s biggest salmon producers: Mowi, Scottish Sea Farms and Bakkafrost.

In footage recorded between April and August, salmon were shown to be asphyxiating beyond the RSPCA’s 15-second maximum allowance, beaten and kicked around boats.

All three farms were RSPCA Assured, and one was also Aquaculture Stewardship Council accredited. Both RSPCA Assured and ASC have launched investigations, with the former also suspending the membership of the three farms.

The incident adds to growing concern over treatment of salmon, despite the presence of accreditation bodies designed to uphold standards. So, what needs to happen to improve welfare and assuage concerns?

salmon fish fishmonger

Growing concerns

“Animal welfare is our absolute priority, and we always take any complaints of poor welfare extremely seriously,” says an RSPCA Assured spokesperson.

“We would urge anyone with any concerns about the welfare of animals on an RSPCA Assured certified farm to contact us without delay, so we can immediately investigate.”

Despite assurances, campaigners say the evidence is just the tip of an iceberg of abuse in the sector.

Additional abuses have been highlighted throughout the year. In January, Animal Equality instructed law firm Advocates for Animals to submit a formal complaint to the Animal Plant & Health Agency after receiving footage from whistleblowers showing a live fish suspended in a cage and left hanging in the air. The fish was seen thrashing and suffocating to death.

“Salmon farming is inherently cruel and unsustainable,” argues Animal Equality executive director Abigail Penny. “It has no place in our society and once again this latest footage puts the industry’s questionable practices into the spotlight”.

Compassion in World Farming calls the footage “deeply concerning” and says it reveals the critical importance of “effective management, as poor management inevitably results in poor welfare”.

“It is vital that these systems are rigorously managed and inspected to uphold the highest welfare standards,” says Dr Daniel Sanchez, fish welfare research manager at CIWF.

For Penny, management and monitoring is not enough. She warns the government is “over-reliant on opt-in accreditation schemes” and argues the latest footage reinforces the need for more robust legislation.

salmon farm tank fishing fish

The UK passed the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act in 2022, which recognises fish as sentient and requires the government to establish a committee to review how policy decisions affect animal welfare. Still, Penny argues the government could still do more.

“With so few laws in place to protect fish, there is a risk this systemic suffering will continue to occur, entirely undetected,” she says. “There are a handful of monolithic corporations at the helm of the Scottish farmed salmon industry – they must be held accountable for their actions against animals, not allowed to act with impunity.”

Critics could also note this is not the only scandal engulfing the sector. Six of the world’s largest producers – including Mowi and its subsidiary Mowi Holdings, SalMar, Lerøy, Scottish Sea Farms and Grieg – have been accused of price-fixing in a claim filed by campaigners at the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal in June.

Bakkafrost and Scottish Sea Farms say immediate action has been taken to resolve the latest animal welfare issues raised. SSF says it has reissued guidance on humane killing and that its fish health team is also delivering and supervising additional refresher training.

Mowi did not respond to request for comment.

Whatever voluntary action is taken now, though, salmon farming has clearly taken yet another PR hit. And the industry clearly has a long way to go to put concerns to bed.

Grace DuncanGrace joined The Grocer in February 2022 as fresh foods reporter and was promoted to senior fresh foods reporter in July 2023. She is responsible for covering fruit & veg, meat, fish, eggs, plant-based and dairy stories from farm to fork. She was awarded a PPA Next Generation Award in 2023 which recognises 30 of the most exciting rising stars in UK specialist media. As well as writing news stories, she supports with the annual Dairymen supplement and writes category reports and features. Grace has also represented The Grocer on national and local radio, commentating on the state of the UK food industry. Prior to joining The Grocer, Grace freelanced for The Sun, Times Radio and climate change magazine It’s Freezing in LA!. She began her career working in international technology PR.View full Profile