Shocking footage shows diseased and damaged fish on Scottish salmon farm

Animal campaigns charity OneKind has released shocking new footage which shows serious animal welfare concerns on a salmon farm in Scotland.

The footage, shot on Monday 27^th August at Vacasay salmon farm in Loch Roag on the Isle of Lewis, was given to OneKind by the film makers and has now been passed to the Scottish SPCA for investigation. The farm is owned and operated by the Scottish Salmon Company.

The video shows salmon with the flesh on their heads exposed due to severe sea lice damage, heavy sea lice burdens, and fish jumping out of the water, with one landing on top of another during one instance, and severe fin and tail damage.

OneKind Campaigner, Sarah Moyes said:

“The reality of salmon farming is hidden from view in the most scenic surroundings, but this new footage raises further serious questions about the effect that industrial-scale salmon farming has on animal welfare.

“It is now widely acknowledged that fish are sentient animals and are capable of feeling pain. Not only does this make this suffering wholly unacceptable, but the industry’s reputation is once again being damaged by another report of animal neglect.”

Scotland is the largest producer of farmed Atlantic salmon in the EU, and the third largest globally, after Norway and Chile. The aquaculture industry, backed by the Scottish Government, is committed to doubling the salmon farming industry by 2030.

Sarah Moyes continued:

“It’s very concerning that there are plans to double the salmon farming industry in Scotland when fish are suffering in this way. That’s why we’re calling for a moratorium on further growth until the industry starts putting the welfare of its animals first.”

Last week, OneKind launched a petition to the Scottish Parliament with partners Scottish Salmon Think-Tank, Save Seil Sound and the Salmon Aquaculture Reform Network Scotland (SARNS) calling for a moratorium on the expansion of the salmon farming industry until welfare and environmental concerns are addressed.

Notes to editor:

1. OneKind is Scotland’s leading animal campaigns charity working to end cruelty to Scotland’s animals. OneKind works to expose cruelty and persecution through investigations and research covering Scotland’s wildlife, farm animals and pets. Find out more about our work at onekind.scot
2. The petition on salmon farming can be found
3. Read OneKind’s report Fish welfare on Scottish salmon farms here
4. Read OneKind’s report The welfare status of salmon farms and companies in Scotland here