The Case Against Scottish Salmon, Trout & Cleaner Fish (Wrasse & Lumpsuckers)!

New data published by @marinescotland details infectious diseases, mass mortalities, use of carcinogenic chemicals & welfare abuse at fish farms across Scotland! @ScotlandSalmon @MowiScotlandLtd @scotseafarms @HGSalmonUK https://t.co/Yvt4OcFz3R
Please boycott Scottish salmon! pic.twitter.com/rZ19BdCAYt

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) November 26, 2021

The Scottish Government's Fish Health Inspectorate recently published (16 November 2021) 'Case Information' sourced from inspections of salmon and trout farms across Scotland in September 2021.

Whilst some cases for September 2021 have been published others are still awaiting publication – including an inspection of West Strome salmon farm (a site Scottish Salmon Watch visited with French TV on 6 September 2021):

The Fish Health Inspectorate's 'Case Information' for September 2021 (Cases 20210252-20210357) includes details of the use of the carcinogenic chemical Formalin (Formaldehyde) by Mowi in Loch Ness; import of smolts from Mowi's Pettigo hatchery in Ireland as well as fungus, Costia, Saprolgeniasis, mortalities due to vaccinations and the use of the chemical Cress (Bronopol):

Is Scottish salmon still 'Scottish' if it is sourced from imported fish from Ireland? @MowiScotlandLtd @SalmonScotland @ScotlandSalmon @FishtheNess@ChrisDNessDSFB @fms_scotland @AST_Salmon @SalmonTroutCons @marinescotland https://t.co/Yvt4OcFz3R pic.twitter.com/TJpvoxDtiu

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) November 26, 2021

In July 2021, Scottish Salmon Watch reported:

I love all things Irish but why is Mowi importing 'organic' salmon smolts from Altan in Ireland to on-grow on Skye as 'Scottish' salmon? Were the smolts quarantined? https://t.co/jeTujWIArt
I read that Mowi breached their licence in Lough Altan in 2019 https://t.co/9p6iXdECr0 pic.twitter.com/zF7SR3D9Ed

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) July 7, 2021

'Case Information' slipped out recently by the Scottish Government's Fish Health Inspectorate raises alarm bells about the import of smolts by Mowi from Ireland to their Sconser salmon farm on the Isle of Skye.

The Fish Health Inspectorate's 'Case Information' for September 2021 (Cases 20210252-20210357) includes details of 1.2 million Ballan wrasse larvae exported from Mowi's larval rearing unit at Machrihanish near Campbeltown in Argyll to Norway:

Another Fish Health Inspectorate visit a week later (Cases 20210252-20210357) detailed another 1.3 million Ballan wrasse (26 boxes) for export to Norway:

Another shipment of 1 million Ballan wrasse from Mowi's larval rearing unit to Norway was reported by the Scottish Government's Fish Health Inspectorate in August 2021 (Cases 20210116-20210315):

Why is Norway importing millions of wrasse from Scotland @MowiScotlandLtd when a report in 2019 by the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food & Environment @VKMmatogmiljo identified genetic & disease risks? @fiskeridir @InfoMattilsynet @kldep https://t.co/Yvt4OcFz3R pic.twitter.com/sWGXIUP4a7

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) November 26, 2021

The Fish Health Inspectorate's 'Case Information' for September 2021 (Cases 20210252-20210357) includes details of mass mortalities of lumpsuckers (used as 'cleaner fish') with the entire site being treated with the antibiotic Florfenicol due to Yersiniosis and elevated lice levels requiring a Hydrolicer treatment:

Cross-referencing with lice data published by the Scottish Government it's clear that Mowi's Caolas A Deas salmon farm on the Isle of Lewis has a lice infestation problem:

The Fish Health Inspectorate's 'Case Information' for September 2021 (Cases 20210252-20210357) includes details of Mowi's North Moine rainbow trout farm in Loch Craignish where there had been "increased mortalities" (e.g. 62,200 morts in September 2020 described as "failed fish") and chemical treatments for sea lice (Emamectin benzoate/SLICE and Azamethiphos/Salmosan):

Scottish Salmon Watch visited the site in July and September 2020:

French TV featured video footage shot at Mowi's Port Na Moine land-base in 'Sur Le Front' broadcast on France 5 on Sunday (21 November 2021):

The Fish Health Inspectorate's 'Case Information' for September 2021 (Cases 20210252-20210357) includes:

In June 2021, The Ferret reported:

Police Scotland is investigating an incident in March when a seal was allegedly shot at a fish farm off a west coast island. https://t.co/5lUApkTIdK

— The Ferret (@FerretScot) June 8, 2021

Was a seal killed illegally at your @rspcaassured salmon farm in Loch Spelve on 17 March 2021? @scotseafarms
A complaint has been submitted @policescotland including details how a pup was orphaned outside the cage – what did you do with the dead body? @strandings @marinescotland https://t.co/8NzYsWLOpF

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) June 8, 2021

In April 2021, Scottish Salmon Watch reported:

It seems that salmon farming companies are aware of APHA 'inspections' in advance. In another case disclosed by APHA via FOI, it seems that the head veterinarian at Scottish Sea Farms (who was appointed chair of the SSPCA in 2018) was aware of a "possible APHA visit" to his Scallastle Bay salmon farm beforehand.

And it seems that by the time APHA did visit Scallastle Bay all the farmed salmon had been harvested out!

Reading between the redacted lines, it appears that APHA's 'inspection' of Scallastle Bay was prompted by a complaint in October 2020 which attached ca. 19 photos.

And it appears that APHA tipped Scottish Sea Farms off regarding the outcome of their 'investigation' (Scottish Salmon Watch will be following this up with DEFRA).

Is it just me or does this case smell of collusion if not corruption?

Whitewashing Welfare Abuse of Scottish Salmon!
Read the inside story – sourced via FOI – into how @APHAgovuk 'inspect' millions of farmed fish & turn a blind eye to welfare abuse @SSPOsays @scotseafarms @kamesfishfarm @rspcaassured @marksandspencer https://t.co/vgp2qsSSsQ pic.twitter.com/APUPVisONy

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) April 15, 2021

When Scottish Salmon Watch filmed inside the salmon cages at Scallastle Bay in August 2018 we found wild fish swimming amongst the farmed salmon:

The Fish Health Inspectorate's 'Case Information' for September 2021 (Cases 20210252-20210357) includes:

Formalin (Formaldehyde), despite being carcinogenic and toxic, is used in vast quantities across Scottish salmon farms:

More than 22 tonnes of formaldehyde, which causes cancer, were poured into cages to disinfect salmon in Loch Ness, Loch Sheil, Loch Lochy and seven other lochs over nine months in 2019.https://t.co/qQ3vFdEiIA

— The Ferret (@FerretScot) May 24, 2020

When Scottish Salmon Watch visited Ormsary in September 2020 we were assaulted, harassed and intimidated and Police Scotland was called out (twice)!

Hendrix boss Jarl van den Berg plays it heavy like Jimmy! https://t.co/0M4VvZGbaB When filming at Landcatch's salmon hatchery at Ormsary I was assaulted by @HGSalmonUK & @policescotland issued a warning @BetterBreeding Is Jarl the son of Hendrix CEO Antoon van den Berg? pic.twitter.com/yvx3ZQ4TLw

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) September 18, 2020

'Case Information' published by the Scottish Government's Fish Health Inspectorate in 2020 perhaps explains why Landcatch (Hendrix) did not want Scottish Salmon Watch sniffing around their disease-ridden and chemically-embalmed operations:

Anyone for disease-ridden Scottish salmon fresh from Landcatch marinaded in antibiotic & cancer-causing Formalin? https://t.co/rSvO6Hz6V7 @HGSalmonUK @salmon_scottish New 'Case Information' published today @marinescotland The horror of #Scottish #Salmon @ciwf @PETAUK @APHAgovuk pic.twitter.com/NWDVRGdb4Y

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) April 6, 2020

'Case Information' published by the Scottish Government's Fish Health Inspectorate for August 2021 (Cases 20210116-20210315) reveals further import of farmed salmon from Ireland to be on-grown in Scotland as 'Scottish' salmon.

Scottish Salmon Watch reported in July 2021:

A Freedom of Information (FOI) disclosure by the Scottish Government published online in April 2021 reveals that 'Scottish' salmon is now sourced predominantly from imported ova (eggs) from Iceland and Ireland substituting Norway (due to ongoing risks of the spread of Infectious Salmon Anaemia).

'Case Information' published by the Scottish Government's Fish Health Inspectorate for August 2021 (Cases 20210116-20210315) reveals disease and mortality problems at Mowi's Invasion Bay salmon farm in Loch Sunart including "wounds and fin damage", pseudomonas (one of the most common bacterial infectious agents of cultured fish) and the use of Alphamax (Deltamethrin) – a known lobster-killing toxic chemical:

'Case Information' published by the Scottish Government's Fish Health Inspectorate for August 2021 (Cases 20210116-20210315) details problems at Mowi's Camas Glas salmon farm in Loch Sunart including mass mortalities of cleaner fish due to "decomp and wounds" and 9.54% mortality of farmed salmon in Week 42 with reports of physical damage of farmed salmon due to concussion in "hamster wheels":

'Case Information' published by the Scottish Government's Fish Health Inspectorate for July 2021 (Cases 20210245-20210278) details an inspection of Mowi's Loch Duich salmon farm (a contentious site which Mowi offered to close down in 2019) – including elevated mortality of lumpfish (27,000 morts at 37% mortality) due to Flavivirus; a fungal infection in the farmed salmon and the use of the toxic chemical Alphamax (Deltamethrin):

Move it Mowi – stop polluting Loch Duich 'Special Area of Conservation' & take your disease-ridden mortalities back home to Norway! https://t.co/L5zpSRNK1a pic.twitter.com/dvJvGWW3y9

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) November 18, 2019

Further 'Case Information' for December 2019 published by the Scottish Government on 7 February 2020 details a mass mortality of 25,966 dead salmon due to the Thermolicer at Mowi's farm in Loch Duich (a contentious site which Mowi has pledged to close down).

This was reported via the Scottish Government's mortality data for December 2019 published online on 7 February 2020:

Oops: Mowi did it again – 25,966 fish Thermoliced to death https://t.co/0Bd1OfvwAB "Malfunction with mechanical lice treatment boat resulting in treatment mortality" @marinescotland Farmed salmon infected with Anaemia, Rickettsia & Piscine Reovirus @MowiScotlandLtd @SSPOsays pic.twitter.com/ce378Irax5

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) February 12, 2020

'Case Information' published by the Scottish Government's Fish Health Inspectorate for July 2021 (Cases 20210245-20210278) includes an inspection of Mowi's Ardintoul salmon farm in Loch Alsh which reported mass mortalities of lumpfish (22% mortality with 48,499 morts) leading to the use of the antibiotic Florfenicol to treat Pseudomonas infection:

When Scottish Salmon Watch visited Mowi's Ardintoul salmon farm in November 2019 we found morts piled up in bins and a encountered a hostile reception from workers which prompted a complaint to the Health & Safety Executive and Maritime & Coastguard Agency:

Caught on Camera – Mowi's Reckless Breaches of Health & Safety in Loch Alsh! https://t.co/0nvWGe0MkQ Complaint vs @MowiScotlandLtd filed with @H_S_E & @MCA_media Who's policing salmon farms? @policescotland @marinescotland @APHAgovuk @CrownEstateScot @ScottishEPA @HumzaYousaf pic.twitter.com/f4oClqkpiA

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) November 15, 2019

"At the time of the visit moribund fish and some floating mortalities were observed in all cages" stated a Fish Health Inspectorate report dated 18 December 2019. The FHI inspection report also detailed "3,221 morts due to concussions due to increased Caligus [lice] burdens" with 73,459 morts (dead salmon) between 9 September and 13 October 2019. Here's the Fish Health Inspectorate's 'Case Information' relating to an inspection of Mowi's Ardintoul salmon farm on 17 October 2019.

Moribund Mowi: "At the time of the visit moribund fish & some floating mortalities were observed in all cages" @marinescotland https://t.co/qr0tO3BMVR 73,459 morts (3,221 due to concussions from increased Caligus burdens), Salmon Gill Poxvirus, AGD & Anaemia @MowiScotlandLtd pic.twitter.com/GulKfO5p5z

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) January 27, 2020

Here's photos of the FHI inspection dated 17 October 2019 (only five samples of salmon were taken and one lumpfish):

First official photos of lumpfish on salmon farms published by @marinescotland Infected with Aeromonas salmonicida (Furunculosis), Vibrio & Shewanella @MowiScotlandLtd https://t.co/qr0tO3BMVR 17,000 dead leading to treatment with antibiotic (Aquatet/Oxytetracycline) @APHAgovuk pic.twitter.com/nYXDBnWfkx

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) January 27, 2020

Scottish Salmon Watch's visit to Mowi's Ardintoul salmon farm – along with other visits – prompted Mowi to launch legal action in September 2021.

Salmon farm firm takes legal action against animal welfare campaigner. https://t.co/WvAYizqTSJ

— STV News (@STVNews) October 11, 2021

STV News: "Given the gruesome nature of welfare abuse, mass mortalities & lice infestations it is not surprising that this Norwegian-owned behemoth wants to stop the public from finding out the ugly truth about Scottish salmon" https://t.co/HlRWu4RmVO @STVNews @giannilmarini pic.twitter.com/o8kveENGsj

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) October 11, 2021

Mowi is embroiled in another lawsuit following the death of Mowi worker Clive Hendry who died at the Ardintoul salmon farm in February 2020.

The Times: "I want justice and an apology. I truly believe that Clive would be here today if Mowi had done what they were meant to" https://t.co/9JCg1KyiX9 @thetimes @MowiScotlandLtd @ScottishHazards @maibgovuk @H_S_E @WHFP1 @Rossnews @Folketrygdfond @ScotlandSalmon

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) November 23, 2021

Leaked video shows Mowi acting recklessly & dangerously – three months after this video was shot, Mowi worker Clive Hendry (seen in the footage) was crushed to death at the same @MowiScotlandLtd salmon farm in Loch Alsh https://t.co/oLOASoyiH1 @maibgovuk @H_S_E @SSPOsays

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) October 10, 2021