Why are millions of salmon dying in Scotland?
Over 16.5 million salmon died on Scottish salmon farms in 2022. Animal Equality investigates and shares new footage obtained from whistleblowers from inside the Scottish salmon industry.
Every year in the UK, up to 77 million fish are farmed and killed for human consumption. Many don't even make it to the slaughterhouse.
Despite this, the Scottish salmon industry has plans to double in size in the coming years.
The scientific community has agreed that fish feel pain and joy like other animals. Salmon need our protection.
Sign the petition to stop the expansion of the Scottish salmon industry: https://bit.ly/3SCGj1B
Visit Love Veg for tips on how to eat plant-based: https://bit.ly/3ReVJdl
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Transcript (English — en)
animal equality discovered disturbing
facts about the Scottish salmon farming
industry the truth that is hiding
beneath Scottish Waters is murkier than
we could have ever imagined
salmon in farms across Scotland are
dying in their droves 2022 marked the
deadliest year on record with over 16.5
million fish dying on farms before they
even reached the slaughterhouse 2023 is
equally as alarming with the first half
of the Year showing higher death rates
than even the previous year's record
losses
Scottish salmon industry is due to
double over the next decade we must act
urgently
animal equality investigators visited
Scotland to find out why so many fish
are dying and how we can stop this we
captured evidence of a number of
concerning standard industry practices
and learned why so many fish die on
Scottish Farms
fish farms are made up of underwater
cages salmon are migratory animals that
would normally travel many miles in the
wild crawly the industry confines them
in these unnatural and crowded
conditions that act as a hotbed for
disease outbreaks many fish suffer from
deformities blindness untreated wounds
or infectious diseases
fish farms are also prone to lice
infestations the flesh-eating lice quite
literally eat the fish alive and
especially agonizing experience for
salmon whose heads and bodies are
covered with sensitive pain receptors
the industry's attempted treatments
include chemicals or the use of D lyser
Machinery but these processes can be so
abrasive and violent that many fish
actually die from the treatments
so-called cleaner fish are also bred and
exploited for the very purpose of eating
the lice off the farmed fish seen as
prey to the salmon many are hunted
during their short lives and are eaten
alive the cleaner fish who make it
through this grueling process are then
slaughtered
now considered worthless to the industry
Scotland is already feeling the effects
of climate change which threatens the
country's citizens as well as its
stunning habitats and Wildlife the
impacts will be felt strongly by farmed
fish too
since sea pens are open to the elements
causing fish to die from the dangerous
sea conditions and Rising water
temperatures
those salmon who survived their rough
surroundings and forceful treatments are
also facing another challenge predation
from wild animals
seals Birds jellyfish and other animals
can approach the sea pens and attack the
animals within the cages either killing
them in the process or leaving them with
raw gaping wounds
salmon are not only considered prey to
animals outside of their pens but also
to those locked in the cages with them
salmon or carnivorous fish
every salmon red is estimated to consume
around 150 smaller fish during their
lifetime with over a 77 million fish
farmed in the UK each year and many
millions more dying before they even
reach an abattoir the Scottish salmon
industry is therefore responsible for
the slaughter of billions of wild fish
every year who are used for fish feed if
the salmon remain hungry after feeding
or become particularly stressed they
might Chase and kill other salmon in
their pens
smaller or weaker salmon simply have
nowhere to hide and nowhere to escape
data doesn't lie and the footage speaks
for itself this is a cruel and
unsustainable industry responsible for
the death of millions of farmed fish and
billions of wild fish every single year
no animal deserves to live a life in a
crowded Cage being eaten by lice hunted
by Predators or suffering from untreated
wounds but you can end their suffering
by boycotting Scottish salmon today by
leaving salmon off your plate you could
save as many as 150 animals with every
meal animal equality is also cooling on
the Scottish government to stop this
industry in its tracks we entrust power
to our politicians in the hope that they
will represent us now is their chance to
hear our Collective concerns and hold
the Scottish salmon industry accountable
for its actions but we need people power
in order to ensure that our message is
heard loud and clear so please sign
animal equalities petition today to
demand that no more planning commission
is granted for new salmon sites and in
the meantime please leave salmon off
your plate today thank you