Three salmon farms suspended from RSPCA Assured scheme

Three salmon farms in Scotland have been suspended from the RSPCA Assured welfare scheme after drone footage emerged that showed sick and moribund fish being left out of the water for too long before being culled.

The footage, released by campaigning charity Animal Equality UK, reveals salmon suffocating in nets, buckets, and on boat decks on farms operated by Mowi, Scottish Sea Farms, and Bakkafrost Scotland.

The drone recordings were captured throughout April, July and August 2024 at Loch Alsh (Mowi); Fiunary, Sound of Mull (SSF); and Ardcastle, Loch Fyne (Bakkafrost Scotland).

Four-month period

Animal Equality UK said that in more than a dozen incidents across the four-month period salmon appearing to show signs of consciousness are left out of water for over one minute, with one fish appearing to suffocate for over three minutes. These instances far surpass the RSPCA’s 15 second maximum allowance.

The organisation said it was not the first time it had discovered fish suffocating on Scottish salmon farms. In January, it instructed law firm Advocates for Animals to submit a formal complaint to the Animal Plant and Health Agency after receiving footage from activists showing a live fish suspended in a cage and left hanging in the air. 

Abigail Penny, executive director of Animal Equality UK, said: “Here we have proof of over a dozen fish desperately struggling in their final moments of life - it begs the question: what else happens when no-one is watching?”

Penny said the industry needed far greater scrutiny.

Immediate investigation

An RSPCA Assured spokesperson said: “We have launched an immediate investigation into these allegations and suspended membership of the three farms from the RSPCA Assured scheme, pending further investigation. This means they cannot currently market or sell any products under the RSPCA Assured label.

“As our enquiries are ongoing, we are unable to comment further at this time.

“Animal welfare is our absolute priority and we always take any complaints of poor welfare extremely seriously. We would urge anyone with any concerns about the welfare of animals on an RSPCA Assured certified farm to contact us straight away, without delay, so that we can immediately investigate and address any welfare issues as a priority.”

'Unacceptable lapses'

Scottish Sea Farms' head of fish health and welfare Dr Ralph Bickerdike said: “Last month, we identified unacceptable lapses in best husbandry practice at one of our farms, following which we took immediate remedial action.

“This included issuing further guidance on how best to humanely cull poorly fish without delay; guidance that we issued cross-company in August to ensure all farms conform to best practice, at all times.

“To make doubly sure that this strict protocol is understood and upheld, our fish health team is also delivering and supervising additional refresher training in each of our farming regions.”

Higher standards

Mowi Scotland said it takes all allegations of animal welfare breaches seriously and will be undertaking its own internal investigation of the footage supplied from RSPCA Assured.

“Our farms are regularly assessed as part of the RSPCA Assured scheme to ensure that the salmon in our care are raised to the RSPCA’s strict higher welfare standards,” said Mowi.

“In addition to working with the RSPCA, Mowi also works closely with the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC), the world’s leading certification and labelling programme for responsibly farmed seafood. Currently 95% of our farms in Scotland have ASC certification. Our work on welfare standards has been recognised by the ASC and Mowi was awarded ASC UK Retail Supplier of the Year in 2022 and ASC Brand of the Year in 2023.

“The Mowi site named Loch Alsh last harvested salmon in June 2024 and is not currently supplying any of our customers.”

Remedial action

A spokesperson for Bakkafrost Scotland said: “Immediate remedial action was taken to address the matter raised, and Bakkafrost is co-operating fully with the relevant accrediting bodies.

“We are fully committed to the welfare and health of our fish as well as the natural environment, both of which are intrinsically linked and represent the basis of responsible salmon farming.”

Dr Iain Berrill, head of technical at trade body Salmon Scotland said: “Our members take the health and welfare of the fish in their care extremely seriously and are continuously pushing themselves to go beyond statutory requirements. That’s why our farmers are proud to be part of RSPCA Assured – the world’s leading animal welfare standard – which sets strict limits to ensure the wellbeing of all farmed animals. We are sure the companies will reflect on the footage responsibly and consider whether any changes in farm practice might be required.”