BBC delete 'illegal' photo after complaint by Norwegian Salmafia!

Here's the story behind the story – detailing how a lobbyist at 'Scottish' Salmon persuaded the BBC to ditch a photo detailing secret filming at a salmon farm @BBCNews @BBCScotlandNews @GettyImages @SSPOsays @NatTylerDigital @germanocean @BBCDouglasF https://t.co/FXCmv2cV1j #BBC pic.twitter.com/TqNQ45VDaL

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 30, 2021

Here's the back-story behind a BBC News story – detailing how a lobbyist at the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) persuaded the BBC to ditch a photo daring to show secret filming at a salmon farm.

"This activist was doing an illegal and unsafe job," claimed Nathan Tyler of the SSPO in an email on Friday morning (28 May 2021) to Getty Images after the BBC published a news story accompanied by the offending photo. Here's the contact details Nathan gave:

"We received a call from a representative of a Scottish salmon company," said Getty Images in an email on Friday morning. "It is not happy with the information on these images. They are requesting more precise details".

Photographer Colin McPherson – who took the offending photos available on Getty's website – replied:

"The photographs in question shows activist(s) from Scottish Salmon Watch mounting an operation at a salmon farm in Scotland. I attended this as an editorial photographer and my captioning reflects what I saw and photographed. I am not in a position to comment as to the legality or otherwise of what the activist(s) were doing. My photography of this was legitimate news gathering. I believe that I did not break any laws in taking these photographs and I will defend robustly any suggestion to the contrary and anything which tarnishes my reputation as a professional photographer which I have built up over the past 30 years. I suggest the complainant takes up his case with the people I photographed. In the meantime, I will not be changing any of the captions as they are entirely accurate. I take it this is the reason the BBC removed my images as illustration from the article online this morning?"

I posted on Facebook on Friday (28 May 2021):

And I Tweeted:

BBC News delete photo of environmental campaigner filming inside a salmon farm with a Go Pro – did the Norwegian Salmafia complain? @SSPOsays @tavishscott @HamishMacdonell @BBCNewsScotland @BBCNews https://t.co/yfK9P4hefz

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 28, 2021

Here's the original BBC News story – before the photo was changed – published ca. 8am on Friday morning:

A few hours later the BBC had deleted the photo and replaced it:

Scottish Green party cooperation talks with SNP set alarm bells ringing for fish farms and farmers:https://t.co/V7B8zNtyJF

— Douglas Fraser✒️🎥🎙 (@BBCDouglasF) May 28, 2021

In fact, the site pictured in the offending photo was Mowi's 'Bay of the Dead Heads' salmon farm in the Sound of Jura which was rapped in 2019 for breaking welfare laws. Scottish Salmon Watch published shocking video footage of welfare abuse at the Mowi salmon farm in July 2019 (when Colin McPherson took the offending photo):

Our video evidence and photos of dead and dying 'cleaner fish' prompted an investigation by the Animal & Plant Heath Agency.

Further video footage of dead salmon being dredged up from the bottom of Mowi's cages at 'Bay of the Dead Heads' was published by tourist operator David Ainsley in September 2019.

The Ferret and Sunday National reported in November 2019:

Read in full via "Salmon farming firm under fire over fish welfare after 700,000 deaths"

Scottish Salmon Watch reported in May 2020 – following a FOI disclosure by the Animal & Plant Health Agency:

Censored: Welfare Abuse on Salmon Farms – redacted FOI documents reveal welfare breaches of Animal Health & Welfare Act @rspcaassured @MowiScotlandLtd https://t.co/oJ5ad7XxZw @APHAgovuk @marinescotland @ProfCMDwyer @SSPCA_Mike @SSPOsays @ChrisGPackham @markruskell @scotgp pic.twitter.com/7Fr5ANyTC4

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) April 23, 2020

Download letter from APHA to Mowi in full online here

It is not suprising then that the SSPO – which counts Mowi as their #1 fee-paying member – is keen to keep photographers and "extreme activists" away from their farms.

Policing 'Scottish' Salmon – when is 'extreme activism' judged trespass? https://t.co/vSlR3rWf8a @policescotland @SSPOsays @ScotlandMowi @alex4salmon @seashepherd @CaptPaulWatson @ewangkennedy @salmon_scottish @pamfoundation @seaspiracy @patagonia @Ecohustler @ciwf @onekindtweet pic.twitter.com/InlPXnPpsE

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) April 28, 2021

One of Mowi's salmon farms at Gorsten in Loch Linnhe is featured in Netflix's global hit 'Seaspiracy' – a site accredited as 'welfare friendly' by RSPCA Assured and certified as 'environmentally friendly' via the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.

Netflix's 'Seaspiracy' Exposes Disease-Ridden Scottish Salmon – As Sponsored by the RSPCA & Aquaculture Stewardship Council! https://t.co/NiySHYotBu @seaspiracy @rspcaassured @ScotlandMowi @ASC_aqua @vivacampaigns @Ecohustler @SSPOsays @iamalitabrizi @media_ciwf @philip_ciwf pic.twitter.com/32CcvHUUKH

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) March 31, 2021

Here's the video footage which Mowi and the SSPO does not want the public to see.

The SSPO are well connected when it comes to television. Fish Farmer reported in August 2019.

It is not known if the SSPO chairman was involved in various BBC investigations of salmon farms including BBC Panorama, BBC Countryfile and the BBC One Show – which included secret video footage shot inside salmon farms.

How can you even start to explain yourselves?@tavishscott @RSPCA_official @TerryAHearn @MowiScotlandLtd @salmon_scottish @FergusEwingMSP @strathearnrose @MairiGougeon @Feorlean @D1HAJ https://t.co/FRguw9wvqR pic.twitter.com/JEJx1Q5ZJE

— Salmon Scotland (@SalmonScotland) December 7, 2020

26% mortality rate on Scottish salmon farms (in just the sea phase of production) – that means one in four RSPCA certified salmon are dying a horrible death! @rspcaassured @SSPOsays @marinescotland https://t.co/G4dXeILsTk @BBCCountryfile @joe_crowley @SalmonTroutCons @scotgp pic.twitter.com/4Nm8CV3fLA

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) December 7, 2020

Here's Nathan Tyler's LinkedIn public profile which includes a stint at STV News:

STV News reported earlier this week on the death of Mowi worker Clive Hendry.

"Mowi Scotland Ltd did not have an effective marine safety management system and lacked staff with the experience to oversee its marine operations" @ScotlandMowi @MowiScotlandLtd @maibgovuk
How much will Mowi be fined for their negligence & lack of safety? @GreenerScotland https://t.co/OoIUcdTTpI

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 26, 2021

STV News also reported on Scottish Salmon Watch's secret filming at The Scottish Salmon Company's disease-ridden salmon farm in Loch Shieldaig in June 2019 – even using video footage gathered by 'illegal' and 'unsafe' filming!

Creel fisherman Angus Campbell told STV News in October 2012:

“The reports on Sepa indicate that there are hundreds of tonnes of fish dying in these sites. Last week we saw a load of 26 tonnes heading down to Uist to get buried. It’s just incredible the amount of dead fish coming out of these sites.”

The BBC 'One Show' featured the North Uist illegal burial site in 2018 – as featured in The Times on Thursday (27 May 2021).

“The authorities have turned a blind eye to the continued dumping of diseased farmed salmon in landfill for well over a decade,” said Staniford. “Scotland’s secret salmon graveyard stinks to high heaven & must be shut down now” @thetimes @GreenerScotland https://t.co/PUxDL1BKl1

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 27, 2021

There are so many bad stories about Scottish salmon that even with a team of highly paid lobbyists it is impossible to bury all the bad news. BBC News reported (26 May 2021):

"It is just devastating to me to think he had the most horrific death" @ScotlandMowi @BBCNews @BBCScotlandNews @MowiScotlandLtd @maibgovuk https://t.co/Ty2a3Vnt7q @SSPOsays
How much will Mowi be fined for their negligence & lack of safety? @GreenerScotland @marinescotland

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 26, 2021

BBC News reported in January 2012:

Nathan Tyler's job is to keep bad stories out of the news. Lobbyists for the Norwegian Salmafia fiercely protect the corporate interests of the big six salmon farming companies – predominantly owned/controlled by Norwegian salmoney – who together account for 99% of 'Scottish' salmon farming production.

Here's more photos objected to by Nathan Tyler, lobbyist at the SSPO.

Colin McPherson has featured salmon farming issues for two decades. Here's photos Colin took in 2015 featuring a protest outside M&S – including Alison Johnstone MSP (now Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament).

[Protestors including Alison Johnstone MSP handing out leaflets outside M&S in Edinburgh: photo by Colin McPherson – download high res image online here]

[Photo by Colin McPherson – download high res image online here]

And here's photos Colin took in 2018 during a visit to Mowi's salmon farm in Loch Leven and The Scottish Salmon Company's salmon farm at Quarry Point in Loch Fyne.

The SSPO and their members including Scottish Sea Farms and Mowi want campaigners and photographers to stay away from their farms even though there is little legal basis to do so. In January 2020, Norwegian-owned Mowi warned "activists" against coming close to salmon farms. "As activists continue to sidestep the democratic process in favour of interrupting work spaces, governments must step up to protect the health and safety of employees working within the laws of the country," wrote Mowi Scotland's Director of Communications in Fish Farmer magazine (16 January 2020).

"Leave Our Farms Alone" Demand @MowiScotlandLtd Here's What They're Hiding & Why Mowi Want the Public to Keep Away! https://t.co/alqQbTYax4 @H_S_E @ScottishEPA @APHAgovuk @marinescotland @nature_scot @MCA_media @FergusEwingMSP @strathearnrose @GreenerScotland @scotgp @SSPOsays pic.twitter.com/2wgbgHvgh6

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) January 17, 2020

In 2019 and 2020, Scottish Sea Farms even persuaded Police Scotland to act as a private security guard to keep people away.

Thankfully, following a complaint filed by Scottish Salmon Watch, Police Scotland apologized in October 2020.

Landmark Victory for Surveillance of Salmon Farms – Police Scotland apologises for wrongly protecting @scotseafarms from public access for filming & diving https://t.co/FJN8LmAX2w @policescotland pic.twitter.com/kU4IKfmGA5

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) October 15, 2020

Mowi has repeatedly threatened legal action against secret filming but since there is no law of trespass in Scotland this Norwegian-owned company may find taking a legal case in the Scottish courts somewhat tricky.

Mowi Scotland: "will be forced to take further action unless you co-operate with its requests & desist from further unauthorised access….no choice but to take steps to protect the Company’s Sites, and its rights in relation thereto, through the courts" https://t.co/TRIgbdBz1q pic.twitter.com/PNZpWmva3f

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) September 25, 2020

Scottish Salmon Watch will continue to conduct secret filming inside salmon farms and will continue to lift the lid on disease-ridden salmon farms – and very much welcomes photographers like Colin McPherson to join us on our safe and perfectly legal investigations in public waters and in public places.

A spokesperson for RSPCA Assured said: “We are very concerned by some of this footage and have suspended the farm whilst we urgently investigate” @rspcaassured @scotseafarms @APHAgovuk @marinescotland @LeroySeafood @Folketrygdfond @SSPCA_Mike @ciwf https://t.co/55rqvU9n4R pic.twitter.com/ajRqyWUuh7

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 14, 2021

It seems that salmon farm workers are more interested in drinking beer than in upholding fish welfare laws.

Sunday evening, Tobermory, The Magnificent 7 (yes, 7, not 6) Mowi guys off on a jolly. No social distancing and obv. not a "dry" boat! You can't see the beers the others were clutching. They must be in the same support bubble! pic.twitter.com/5dowZM6qtg

— Andrew Holder (@andrholder) September 22, 2020

We also look forward to further debate with the Norwegian Salmafia who control ca. 80% of 'Scottish' salmon farming – including their chief executive Tavish Scott who the BBC seems content to allow telling lies on BBC Scotland's 'The Nine'.

Lobbyist for 'Scottish' Salmon Caught Telling Pack of Lies on BBC Scotland! https://t.co/L0V3L4ubNu @tavishscott @SSPOsays @mmgeissler @BBCScotNine @marinescotland @salmon_scottish @seaspiracy
Maybe Tavish Scott should just stop talking bollocks? pic.twitter.com/Kz2vNM0NvE

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) April 7, 2021

MILLIONS of farmed salmon are dying from lice infestations, chlamydia, heart disease, anaemia etc.

The CEO of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation @SSPOsays, Mr @TavishScott says it's a

"Pack of lies".

Make up you own mind who's the LIAR here. pic.twitter.com/C0T1aId4pn

— Salmon Scotland (@SalmonScotland) April 19, 2021

From: BBC Complaints <bbc_complaints_website@contact.bbc.co.uk>
Date: Thu, May 20, 2021 at 10:07 AM
Subject: BBC Complaints – Case number CAS-6694812-X3J2F1
To: Donald Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>

Reference CAS-6694812-X3J2F1

Dear Mr Staniford

Thank you for getting in touch about The Nine broadcast on 6 April 2021. We know people appreciate a prompt response and unfortunately we’ve taken longer to reply than usual – please accept our apologies.

Having now discussed your concerns with the production team, we are satisfied that both you and Tavish Scott were given appropriate and fair opportunities on the programme. You were both able to offer your views and challenge points being made.

We believe our presenter, Martin Geissler, controlled the discussion – one that was heated throughout – very well. We are satisfied you were afforded an extensive opportunity to respond during the programme.

Thank you, once again, for taking the time to contact us.

Kind regards

BBC Complaints Team
www.bbc.co.uk/complaints

YOUR COMPLAINT:

Tavish Scott lying on BBC Scotland's 'The Nine'

How can Tavish Scott's blatant lies on BBC Scotland's 'The Nine' (6 April 2021) be permitted to stand without correction?

Details via:

"Lobbyist for 'Scottish' Salmon Caught Telling Pack of Lies on BBC Scotland": https://donstaniford.com/lobbyist-for-norwegian-salmon-farmers-caught-lying-on-bbc-scotland/

Tweet via: https://twitter.com/TheGAAIA/status/1384126263766380547

Some of the worst images of welfare abuse in salmon farming – so gory that @APHAgovuk have to redact them.

And @tavishscott from @SSPOsays says it’s all “a pack of lies” https://t.co/rVGKmusZpw pic.twitter.com/7xxtwMkAiY

— Salmon Scotland (@SalmonScotland) April 15, 2021

Tavish Scott has long been in bed with the BBC. The Herald reported in 2004:

The Times reported in 2004:

Tavish's relationship with the BBC has proved to be fruitful. The Sun reported in 2008:

When he's not in bed with the BBC, Tavish likes to dress up in Viking regalia – perfectly suited to his role as chief lobbyist for the Norwegian Salmafia.

Thankfully, the BBC has not always allowed itself to be kowtowed, bullied, lobbied and manipulated by the Norwegian Salmafia.

The BBC has even featured "extreme activists" much to the chagrin of lobbyists like Nathan Tyler, Tavish Scott and Hamish Macdonell.

The BBC has even published photos which the salmon farming lobby does not like. BBC News reported in 2008:

No amount of lobbying and behind the scences salmon shenanigins can stop the truth coming out about the disease-ridden salmon farming industry – honesty is always the best policy!

BBC News: "Director of Scottish Salmon Watch Don Staniford called on retailers to be more 'honest' over the origins of their salmon products" https://t.co/RungqPbUF4 @sainsburys @Tesco @marksandspencer @waitrose @AldiUK @coopuk @LidlGB @Morrisons @asda @rspcaassured @ASC_aqua

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) April 15, 2021

So the next time you read a story – or maybe more importantly, don't read a story – the fingerprints of lobbyists at 'Scottish' Salmon will have been all over it.