Policing ‘Scottish’ Salmon – when is ‘extreme activism’ judged trespass?

 
No Tresspassing
 
 
 
 
 
 
When scientist, biologist and 'activist' Alexandra Morton filmed inside salmon farms in British Columbia in 2016 she triggered a series events which included an occupation of salmon farms, further filming by First Nations leaders, a lawsuit for trespass and the phasing out of salmon farms.  
 
 
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MH sues eviction CBC

 
 
 
The damning video footage collected via Go Pro cameras inserted into the cages sent shockwaves throughout Canada and was watched all over the world.
 
 
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By the time "actor-turned-activist" Pamela Anderson donned a Go Pro camera and filmed inside a salmon farm in British Columbia in July 2019, secret filming had also taken place in Norway and Scotland.
 
 
 
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Sea Shepherd's objective – squarely aligned with Scottish Salmon Watch's – is to shut down salmon farms and the Go Pro camera is our most powerful  weapon. 
 
 
 
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In 2017, Swedish film-maker Mikael Frödin swam out to a Grieg owned salmon farm in Altafjord armed with a Go Pro on an extendable pole.

 

Frodin #1

 

 

His shocking footage of lice damage and welfare abuse was broadcast in 2018 on Swedish TV and on Norwegian TV.

 

Frodin #2

 

Frodin #3

 

Frodin #4

 

"They're all sick, look at them," said Frödin as he filmed inside the cage:

 

Frodin #5

 

 

Frödin's footage featured in the 2019 film 'Artifishal'. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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The North Atlantic Salmon Fund reported in November 2018:
 
 
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Alexandra Morton had a victory of sorts in her trespassing court case against Marine Harvest (re-named Mowi in January 2019 due to "negative consumer perception").   The Toronto Star reported in August 2018:
 
 
 
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Certainly in the court of public opinion, Alexandra Morton and First Nations opposed to salmon farms in British Columbia have won. 
 

 
 
 
 
In Scotland, the legal battle may be only beginning but the PR war has already been won.   Award-winning food writer Joanna Blythman lambasted 'Scottish' salmon in The Herald on Saturday (24 April 2021).
 
 

Blythman Herald 24 April 2021 

 

 
 
 
 
Netflix's global hit 'Seaspiracy' featured shocking video footage shot inside a salmon farm in Scotland by photographer Corin Smith. 
 

 

 
 
 
'Seaspiracy' also featured stomach-churning video footage of disease-ridden Scottish salmon at Mowi's salmon farm at Gorsten in Loch Linne – a site accredited as 'welfare friendly' by RSPCA Assured and certified as 'environmentally friendly' via the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.
 
 

 

 
 
The BBC 'One Show', BBC Panorama, BBC Countryfile and STV News have all featured damning video footage shot inside salmon farms in Scotland.
 
 
Corin photo One Show iPlayer bigger
 
 
 

Panorama preview 20 May 2019 #3

 

STV News 19 June 2019 TV version #2

 

 
 

BBC Countryfile 6 Dec 2020 #1

 
 
 
 
And just last month (23 March 2021), Compassion in World Farming and OneKind published a devastating report and video evidence of welfare abuse at salmon farms across Scotland. 
 

 

 

 
 
In November 2020, Viva exposed the shocking underbelly of salmon farming in Scotland.
 

 
 
 
 
In February this year, secret filming by Animal Equality inside a salmon farming processing plant operated by The Scottish Salmon Company lifted the lid on shocking welfare abuse.
 

 
 
 
 
Undercover video footage inside a salmon farm operated by Cooke Aquaculture in Maine, USA, in 2019 caused an international outcry.
 

 
 
 
And just this week Inside Scottish Salmon Feedlots released new video footage inside salmon farms in Scotland.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
The video evidence of welfare abuse inside salmon farms is all too damning.  And so too are the efforts by salmon farming companies to prevent "activists", scientists and journalists from filming close to salmon farms.    When Alexandra Morton filmed at salmon farms in British Columbia she was shadowed and stalked by a security detail.
 

 
 
 
This is what happened when a local tried to ask a salmon farmer about the use of carcinogenic chemicals in Loch Tralaig.
 

 
 
 
Here's video footage of a salmon farmer using the carcinogenic chemical Formaldehyde (Formalin) in Loch Tralaig. 
 

 
 
 
This is what happened when Scottish Salmon Watch took samples of waste effluents and filmed on a public beach at Landcatch's Ormsary salmon farm in Argyll in September 2020. 
 

 

 

 
 
This is what happened in July 2020 when diver Matt Mellen of Ecohustler dared to take a close look at a disease-ridden salmon farm operated by RSPCA Assured Scottish Sea Farms in Loch Creran 'Special Area of Conservation'.
 

 
 
 
Here's the kind of welfare abuse Scottish Sea Farms were hiding (as published later in October 2020).
 

 

 
 
However, instead of arresting workers at Scottish Sea Farms Police Scotland warned "activists" off from going close to salmon farms!
 

 

 

 
 
 
Scottish Salmon Watch suffered the same type of police harrassment when we filmed in public waters in July 2019 at Scottish Sea Farms off Shuna in Loch Linnhe.

 
 
 
 

Oban Times 19 Oct 2020 #1

 

 
 
 
 
Back 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). 
 
 

 

Blog Jan 17 2020 HSE #1

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
In July 2020, Scottish Salmon Watch visited Mowi's salmon farm at Ardnish in Loch Ailort where the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) was asked in March 2020 to support a field trial of the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid.
 

 

 
 
 
In 2019, Mowi's lawyers issued similar legal threats following filming by Scottish Salmon Watch at other Mowi salmon farms.  

 

"The Go Pro camera never lies unlike salmon farming companies," said Don Staniford, Director of Scottish Salmon Watch in November 2019.   "Secret filming inside salmon farms, gruesome photos obtained via Freedom of Information and tip-offs from whistleblowers have lifted the lid on disease-ridden Scottish salmon.   Scottish Salmon Watch will continue to closely monitor this toxic and unhealthy industry and that means further filming inside and under filthy feedlots.  Norwegian-owned Mowi is operating in Scottish waters where the public have enshrined rights to navigation and access."

 

190702CMC_SalmonWatch-126

 

"Filming is in the public interest and the public has a right to know what's going on inside salmon feedlots," continued Staniford.  "Secret filming at Mowi's 'Bay of the Dead Heads' salmon farm in July prompted an investigation by the Animal & Plant Health Agency and media coverage in The Sunday National and The Ferret.  Shocking footage shot at The Scottish Salmon Company's welfare nightmare in Loch Shieldaig was broadcast by STV News in June and led to an unannounced site inspection by Marine Scotland's Fish Health Inspectorate.  Given the skeletons lurking in their cages, it is not surprising that Mowi physically blocked our filming at salmon feedlots in the Argyll Coast and Islands Hope Spot in September and now lawyers are threatening legal action following further filming earlier this month in Loch Alsh Special Area of Conservation.  Based on video footage and photographic evidence, Mowi is clearly breaking the Animal Health & Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 in relation to 'unnecessary suffering', 'cruel operations' and 'ensuring the welfare of animals'."

 

Ardintoul Photo #9 Don

Read more via "The Go Pro Camera Never Lies (Unlike Salmon Farmers)"

 
 
 
 
Despite Mowi's legal threats, Scottish Salmon Watch continue to film at salmon farms across Scotland adhering to biosecurity protocols recommended by the Scottish Government.

 

 
 
 
Here's the stomach-churning scene we discovered when we filmed at Mowi's Loch Torridon RSPCA Assured salmon farm in September 2020.
 

 

 
 
 
And here's the nauseating sight of RSPCA Assured salmon at Mowi's salmon farm in Loch Greshornish in July 2020.
 

 

 
 
 
And here's some fresh "organic" Mowi salmon from Loch Ewe.
 

 

 
 
It seems Mowi workers are more interested in drinking beer than in upholding fish welfare laws.
 

 
 
 
 
 
This is what happened when Scottish Salmon Watch tried to take samples of sewage effluents – to test for infectious diseases, pathogens and viruses – at salmon farms operated by Mowi in September 2019. 
 

 

 

 

 

Read more via "The Fish Pharm Menace – Mowi is Like a Bad Movie (& Dick Dastardly)!"

 

 

 

 

When we tried to hand-deliver samples to the Scottish Parliament the following week they were denied entry and deemed a biosecurity risk! 

 

 

 

 

When we secretly filmed – without Mowi's knowledge – inside a salmon farm at 'Bay of the Dead Heads' in July 2019 it triggered a welfare investigation and Mowi was rapped for welfare failures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Sunday National & Ferret reported in November 2019:

 

Sunday National 10 Nov 2019 newspaper version in full

 

 

 

When Scottish Salmon Watch filmed at Mowi's salmon farm in Loch Alsh – a 'Special Area of Conservation' and 'Marine Protected Area' in November 2019, Mowi's threatening and reckless behaviour prompted a complaint to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency. 

 

 

 
 
 
The Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation – the lobby group representing the 99% foreign-owned 'Scottish' salmon farming industry (ca. 80% of which is controlled by Norwegian salmoney) – Tweeted.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Letter to Police Scotland 23 Oct 2020 #1

 
 
 
 
 
 
When Scottish Salmon Watch visited The Scottish Salmon Company's disease ridden salmon farm at Quarry Point in Loch Fyne in September 2020 we were greeted by "No Unauthorised Access" signs which claimed the site was a "biosecure area" (even though untreated sewage effluents, infectious diseases, pathogens, bacteria and viruses are freely discharged into the loch). 
 

 

 
 
When Scottish Salmon Watch asked workers for disease details of the dead salmon at Quarry Point they ignored the question and turned their back on the welfare of their stock.
 

 

 
 
When investigators for Compassion in World Farming filmed secretly (using drones, divers and Go Pros) at 22 salmon farms between September and December 2020 – at sites operated by Mowi, The Scottish Salmon Company, Grieg Seafood, Scottish Sea Farms and Cooke Aquaculture – this is the shocking evidence of welfare abuse they amassed. 
 
 
CIWF Dead Fish report March 2021 #2 photo
 
CIWF Scottish Salmon Investigation March 2021 #16 Grieg dead at surface
 
CIWF Scottish Salmon Investigation March 2021 #10 Stills from Investigation
 
CIWF Scottish Salmon Investigation March 2021 #11 Stills from Investigation
 
 
 

 
 
 
Next month, Scottish Salmon Watch launches 'Operation Scottish Scamon' which aims to shine a light on the sham, scam and consumer con that is 'Scottish' salmon.

 

 
 

 

 
 
 
 
Today (29 April 2021), Scottish Salmon Watch wrote to Police Scotland reiterating our safety concerns – as expressed in a letter sent in October 2020 – surrounding secret filming in and around salmon farming operations.   Hopefully there will not be an escalation of conflicts and there will not be a repeat of assaults.  Scottish Salmon Watch's letter to Police Scotland dated 23 October 2020 included:
 

Letter to Police Scotland 23 Oct 2020 #2

Letter to Police Scotland 23 Oct 2020 #3

 
 
 
 
 
 
Salmon warriors in Canada may have lost a few legal battles but they've certainly won the PR war and salmon farms are being removed from the pristine waters of British Columbia.
 
 
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Now for removing salmon farms from the coasts of Scotland – it's time to rip out the malignant cancer that is sea cage salmon farming!
 
 

Blog Move it Mowi #9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
So we're left with the unanswered question (at least in Scotland): When does "extreme activism" (as Tavish Scott – a lying lobbyist for the Norwegian Salmafia in Scotland – slurred on BBC Scotland's 'The Nine' earlier this month) stray into the territory of trespass and illegal activity?
 
 

 

 
 
To steal a quote from journalist and fly-fisherman, MikelFrödin, secret filming was "a journalistic obligation, and that there was no choice but to swim near the cages". "The public must know how the industry affects ecosystems, how bad animal husbandry is and how this food is produced," said Frödin in 2018 after he was sentenced to a fine of 12,000 kr., or 24 days in jail, in addition to trial costs of 3,000 kr. 
 
 
 
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"I do not think I should be judged for this, but it was my journalistic obligation that the public must be aware of the seriousness of the situation. The right calls this “PR stunt” which I think is very remarkable. If the law says that you can not look after ourselves, we depend on the company to provide correct information. Now that we know how it looks, we know that their information is not correct."
 
 
 
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If Government agencies are not upholding welfare laws and environmental rules then it is not surprising that "extreme activists", journalists, biologists, First Nations leaders, celebrities and citizens are prepared to risk breaking the law in order to tell the public the truth about such a toxic industry. 

 

 
 
 
And it seems that salmon farms in Scotland are still desperately warning – without any legal basis – the public to stay away from their disease-ridden feedlots.
 
 

 
 
 
 
Whilst the public are being warned to stay away, it seems inspectors for the RSPCA (who rake in over £500,000 a year from certifying salmon farms in Scotland as 'welfare friendly' via the RSPCA Assured scheme and have been guided by ex-Mowi manager Ian Michie) have been invited to inspect salmon farms (RSPCA inspections were suspended during 2020 due to Covid-19).   The Fish Site reported last month (25 March 2021):
 

Fish Site 25 March 2021 open door policy #1 Fish Site 25 March 2021 open door policy #2

 
 
 
 
 
 
If you're sceptical of the welfare 'inspection' regime in Scotland and want to join 'Operation Scottish Scamon' please email me via salmonfarmingkills.com
 

 

 
Or sign up for a 'Salmon Safari'!
 

 
 
 
 
If you want to support "extreme activism" please donate via PayPal or via bank transfer – details online here
 
 
 
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Or show your support by taking the pledge to boycott farmed salmon – make a video pledge if you can – and please tell your friends and family not to eat farmed salmon!
 

 
 
 
 
Read more via:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Addendum:
 
 
From: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, Apr 28, 2021 at 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: Complaint about the Police [OFFICIAL]
To: Stephen, Mark-2 <Mark.Stephen2@scotland.pnn.police.uk>

Inspector Stephen,
 
It's been over six months since Scottish Salmon Watch wrote to Police Scotland on the issue of increasing violence and hostility by salmon farmers blocking film but there has been no reply. 
 
Do you think Police Scotland can address this issue?
 
 
 
 
 
During the coming months, Scottish Salmon Watch will be in the field conducting sampling near salmon farms – together with secret filming – and reiterate our safety and security concerns. 
 
I am still available to meet next week to discuss the current situation.
 
 
As Scottish Salmon Watch wrote in October 2020:
 
"Scottish Salmon Watch will certainly not be staying 15 metres away from salmon farms and believe there is no legal basis for such claims. We therefore ask Police Scotland to chair a roundtable discussion to discuss the issue of filming and sampling at salmon farms…… Scottish Salmon Watch is concerned that the industry's provocative position is fanning the flames of anger and violence. Unless the incendiary situation is dampened down someone is going to get seriously injured or killed."
 
 
Thanks,
 
Don Staniford
 
Director, Scottish Salmon Watch
 
 
 
From: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Oct 23, 2020 at 11:53 AM
Subject: Re: Complaint about the Police [OFFICIAL]
To: Stephen, Mark-2 <Mark.Stephen2@scotland.pnn.police.uk>

Mark,
 
Please pass Scottish Salmon Watch's letter onto the Area Chief Inspector:
 
 
Read letter in full as a PDF online here
 
Thanks,
 
Don
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