WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: An animal welfare campaigner was left horrified after spotting “zombie” salmon swimming in British waters with large chunks of their flesh missing, prompting an investigation
“Zombie” fish have been spotted swimming in British waters, prompting an investigation.
Animal welfare campaigner Don Staniford visited Bakkafrost Scotland’s Portree farm on the Isle of Skye, where he captured the horror phenomenon on a waterproof GoPro.
Staniford, who runs the campaign $camon $cotland, told the Daily Record the state of the fish he saw after kayaking out to the site was the “worst he’d ever seen.”
“The zombie salmon on show inside the salmon farm are like an X-rated horror film,” he said.
Staniford said the fish were like something out of an ‘X-rated horror film’ (Image: Don Staniford)
“The horrific injuries inside Bakkafrost’s Portree salmon farm were the worst I’ve ever witnessed.”
Staniford spotted the fish during a 48-hour undercover investigation from June 28 to 29 of this year, which saw him lower a camera mounted to a telescopic pole into the cage.
He then claims he saw salmon swimming around with gouges in their skin, and one reportedly even had a massive chunk missing from its back.
He continued: “Bakkafrost has either not installed proper anti-predator netting or they have not properly maintained the equipment – either way this is a clear cut case of welfare abuse.
Staniford reckons the wounds came from predator attacks (Image: Don Staniford)
“If salmon farms cannot operate securely without breaching welfare legislation then they should be shut down immediately.”
The Highland Council and the Scottish Government have now launched an enquiry into Staniford’s find.
Meanwhile, the animal activist said he thought the wounds were caused by a predator, possibly seals, and called on Bakkafrost Scotland to act.
The company was previously called the Scottish Salmon Company but changed its name last year after it was acquired by the Faroese firm Bakkafrost back in 2019.
A Bakkafrost Scotland spokesperson said: “Bakkafrost Scotland are committed to the welfare and health of our fish and the natural environment, both of which are intrinsically linked and represent the basis of responsible salmon farming.
An investigation has now been lauched (Image: Don Staniford)
“We have just become aware of a film showing two fish which appear to have been attacked by seals, and which is suggested to have been taken at our Portree site.
“As with all farmers the health and welfare of our stock is of paramount importance, and a recent RSPCA inspection at the site did not flag any issues.”
Meanwhile a spokesperson for RSPCA Assured, which was alerted to Staniford’s concerns, said: “We looked into this as soon as it was reported to us, including carrying out an in-person visit.
“We are satisfied that the farm was doing everything they could to protect the welfare of both the salmon and any predators, such as seals, by trying to prevent any predators from entering the pen, as required by the RSPCA’s standards.”
A spokesperson for Highland Council also confirmed it had received a complaint.
“We are liaising with our animal health partners in Scottish Government on the investigation,” they said.
The Scottish Government confirmed it was aware of the complaint but declined to comment further while its investigation was ongoing.
