Salmon & trout welfare issues
Research increasingly shows that fish are more intelligent than we once thought, that they have good memories and are capable of learning and remembering. They are sentient beings with feelings and the capacity to feel pain, which is why we believe they deserve to be looked after and shown the same respect and compassion as any other farmed animal.
1. The fish's environment
Water quality (temperature, pH, oxygen levels, etc.) is fundamental to fish welfare, as is the space they have to move around. If farmed fish have too much or too little space, they can become territorial and aggressive, which can increase the risk of injury or disease.
What the RSPCA standards say...
The RSPCA standards set the amount of space fish must be provided at every stage of their life cycle. The amount of space a fish requires as their biology changes, and the standards aim to reflect that. They also require water quality to be checked regularly and for the right action to be taken to ensure the fish’s welfare is not impacted if there is a change in water conditions. Fish farming is complex, and the RSPCA constantly monitors new research to update its standards accordingly.
2. Handling the fish
Farmed fish sometimes need to be handled. When they are being vaccinated or when graded according to their size, for example. These procedures can be stressful for the fish, especially if they are taken out of the water, so it is essential to keep handling to an absolute minimum and follow best practices during these operations.
What the RSPCA standards say…
The RSPCA’s standards describe how fish should be handled and cared for during husbandry practices, and that they should only be handled when required. They also include the training and competencies staff need to handle fish appropriately. These standards, when applied correctly alongside the other standards, should ensure fish welfare is looked after and help keep handling to a minimum.
3. Transport and slaughter
All transport, whether by road, wellboat or helicopter, can be potentially stressful for the fish, so extra attention is needed, particularly when the fish are being loaded and unloaded. It is essential to maintain the correct water quality for the entire journey, even in the case of delays or emergencies.
Slaughter methods used in fish farming, such as the use of carbon dioxide, suffocation in the air or on ice, or bleeding the fish without stunning, can cause significant suffering.
What the RSPCA standards say...
The RSPCA has numerous standards related to the humane transport and slaughter of farmed fish. These include the handling of fish when loading and unloading, specifying travel times and monitoring the water quality and fish whilst in transport. The RSPCA also requires that fish be pre-stunned before slaughter and does not permit the methods of slaughter outlined above, which are deemed to be inhumane.
