A Scottish Parliamentary reply by Fergus Ewing in March 2020 revealed that over half a million (522,702) farmed salmon died shocking deaths due to the operation of the Thermolicer, Hydrolicer and Optilicer from 2016 to 2019. The Hydrolicer is the most lethal with 269,674 farmed salmon mortalities followed by the Thermolicer (177,601 deaths) and the Optlicer (75,427 deaths):
Here's the yearly breakdown of deaths each year due to the Thermolicer, Hydrolicer and Optilicer:
"This is the scum - all the salmon fat polluting our waters," says Jamie Moyes in a video from West Strome salmon farm @salmon_scottish "Absolutely disgusting, stinking. Oh my God, it is thick. It is a toxic soup - it makes you sick the smell" @SSPOsayshttps://t.co/6VlzcwKJh5pic.twitter.com/RffPTrp9eg
Video footage from The Scottish Salmon Company's West Strome salmon farm in Loch Carron has been shared with Police Scotland's Wildlife Crime Unit, the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA), the Scottish Government's Fish Health Inspectorate and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
On 13 September you contacted SEPA about concerns for material on the sea surface and in suspension as a result of discharges at the West Strome fish farm site in Loch Carron, where a moored vessel was operating and discharging. Your emails to Alison MacPherson included links to two videos, which your email indicates were recorded on 8 September 2021. You also state that a report had been submitted to SEPA on 5 September. Please advise how the 5 September report to SEPA was made and include any supporting information that you have, emails or screen grabs etc.
Since 13 September Stuart Baird, an Area Manager for SEPA, has tried to contact you by telephone to discuss this matter further. Contact details for Stuart were left by voicemail, but he has not received any response. He can be contacted on 07809 041899, or stuart.baird@sepa.org.uk.
We have contacted the operators at Strome and they have advised on treatments undertaken at the site, which includes hydrolicer operations being undertaken on 4 to 8 September 2021 inclusive. Freshwater treatments took place on 5 and 6 September, and bath treatment on 5 September. We understand that around the time of these treatments there was a level of fish mortality at the site, however SEPA do not receive numbers on specific events, as this is reported to the Fish Health Inspectorate.
Regarding the material you observed on the sea surface and in suspension, hydrolicers use low pressure water jets to create turbulence that dislodges sea lice from the fish as they are drawn into a treatment chamber on the delousing vessel using pumps. The material observed is likely to have been residue from the physical treatment and foam which is generated when sea water containing organic matter is agitated. Foams and debris can occur naturally during storms when organic matter is agitated. In the West Strome case, the organic matter agitated by the treatment vessel will have been a combination of mucus and organic matter from the fish being treated in the hydrolicer and organic matter in the seawater pumped through the hydrolicer. The material you observed may have been influenced by the presence of dead fish in the cages, some of which may have passed through the hydrolicer, or by the presence of decomposing fish in the cage being agitated by the flow discharged by the hydrolicer. Given the nature of the material and its expected rapid dispersion, we have no reason to believe it posed a significant pollution risk, however we acknowledge that odour and discolouration was apparent in the area around the fish farm cage group.
Information on a dead fish falling from the net into the sea during loading of the vessel as observed in the video, was reported to the Fish Health Inspectorate, who have already attended the site to review the report. The email of 13 September 2021 @ 17:25 states that you have a video recording of salmon being pumped directly into the sea, however this is not shown or described in the two videos provided. If you do have video of this, please send this to us and we will forward it to the Fish health Inspectorate, as that is within their remit.
SEPA on @salmon_scottish scum: "Hydrolicers use low pressure water jets to create turbulence that dislodges sea lice...the organic matter agitated by the treatment vessel will have been a combination of mucus & organic matter" https://t.co/6Vlzcx2k8D@ScottishEPA@TerryAHearn
The latest lice data is available via 'Scotland's Aquaculture' - with The Scottish Salmon Company's West Strome salmon farm ranked as the 10th highest for September 2021:
Our team in Scotland call for Scottish Government to substantiate its claim that #salmonfarming is "sustainable". Their failure to do so will mean that Scottish Government is guilty of blatant greenwash.
Join us and say no to open-net #salmonfarming in Scotland. In the face of the Scottish Government's encouragement of the salmon farming industry, we will now oppose the continued operation of all open-net salmon farms. Pledge your support https://t.co/v7J2BlkfmXpic.twitter.com/JOA9k0nRwH
— Salmon & Trout Conservation (@SalmonTroutCons) October 13, 2021
National Geographic: “It’s a toxic industry” says Don Staniford, director of the environmental activism group Scottish Salmon Watch, who regularly sneaks onto Scottish salmon farms, including some owned by Mowi, to record video of dead and dying salmon" https://t.co/McmY9IY6nMpic.twitter.com/yJrTarmFG2
Prince Charles's patronage of salmon farming interests via the Atlantic Salmon Trust raises serious questions. Scottish Salmon Watch reported in September 2020:
The scam that is 'organic' Scottish salmon - aka 'Organic Scamon' - has almost trebled in a year: increasing from 4,462 tonnes of 'organic' salmon reported in 2019 to 12,528 tonnes in 2020. That's a leap of 181% in a single year! https://t.co/VdswDPek3E@SoilAssociationpic.twitter.com/U6A3Isa3Hv
On Friday (15 October 2021), a lobbyist for the Norwegian-owned salmon farming industry made the case for cooperation, compromise and conciliation between wild and pharmed salmon interests.
"Mowi takes anti-salmon farming campaigner to court" @obantimes "I will be defending @MowiScotlandLtd's legal action in the strongest terms. Thankfully, the truth always wins out in the end. I look forward to debating these vital issues in open court" https://t.co/CbAgHqNdBOpic.twitter.com/ks2PPZ9XNQ
In filing a lawsuit & issuing a press release publicising their legal action against me, Mowi's lawyers have ignored basic science. I flunked physics at school but understand Newton's 'Third Law of Motion': For every action, there is an equal & opposite reaction! @MowiScotlandLtdpic.twitter.com/h7GUFRzHzw
@TheGAAIA has done more to expose the environmental & welfare problems caused by salmon farms in Scotland than anyone else - @rspcaassured doesn't even bother checking. You are trying to hide the truth and stop legitimate investigation - all of which is in the public interest.
"We believe that the problems associated with aquaculture in Scotland are so severe that it is necessary for the Scottish Parliament to consider creating not just regulatory penalties but also criminal offences" @ScotGamekeepers@heraldscotlandhttps://t.co/9u9nPo5ozg
We surveyed @salmon_scottish Gigha farms a couple months ago and were using Acoustic Deterrent Devices illegally without EPS license and now trying to skip 500,000 diseased and dying fish before the Fish Health Inspectorate turn up. What definition of sustainable is this? pic.twitter.com/1XMbd4hiUx
In September 2021, Scottish Salmon Watch published shocking video footage of mass mortalities, lice infestation and welfare abuse at The Scottish Salmon Company's West Strome salmon farm in Loch Carron (a 'Special Area of Conservation'):
"This is the scum - all the salmon fat polluting our waters," says Jamie Moyes in a video from West Strome salmon farm @salmon_scottish "Absolutely disgusting, stinking. Oh my God, it is thick. It is a toxic soup - it makes you sick the smell" @SSPOsayshttps://t.co/6VlzcwKJh5pic.twitter.com/RffPTrp9eg
“Scottish salmon leaves me sick to the stomach,” said Jamie Moyes, a vegan activist who acted as boat support to Scottish Salmon Watch when we filmed inside The Scottish Salmon Company's West Strome salmon farm on 6 September 2021. “I used to work as a salmon farmer and I am ashamed that the Scottish Salmon Company is causing such horrific distress and suffering. Anyone who watches this video footage will be put off eating Scottish salmon for life. The Scottish Government needs to take immediate action to end the torture of thousands of farmed salmon dying in the cages in Loch Carron”.
Video footage of the mort disposal operation @salmon_scottish "The dead boat – absolutely packed to the gunnels with death: at least thirty tonnes of dead salmon on there today”. Like a serial killer burying the dead bodies before the police arrive! https://t.co/jhrwnsC7Sk
Six out of the top twenty monthly mortalities since 2002 when data was made available were reported during 2020 - with The Scottish Salmon Company's salmon farm at Sgian Dubh in Loch Striven in August 2020 heading the list of shame.
Hyprocrisy @salmon_scottish - Bakkafrost (Faroese owners of 'Scottish' Salmon Co) condemn slaughter of 1,500 dolphins as “totally unacceptable” yet condone welfare abuse of millions of farmed salmon & use of noisy ADDs which harm cetaceans!https://t.co/fI6y3IPk8W@ClydePorpoise
Caught on candid camera - The Scottish Salmon Company claim to have an EPS licence to use ADDs at their salmon farm at West Strome in Loch Carron https://t.co/vvP9mJfXF1 I thought there were no EPS licences issued for ADDs on salmon farms! @nature_scot@marinescotland@SSPOsays
Scottish Salmon Watch reported in September 2019 (just before Bakkafrost bought The 'Scottish' Salmon Company from Ukrainian banker Yuriy Lopatynskyy):
In June 2019, lawyers representing The Scottish Salmon Company's controlling shareholder Yuriy Lopatynskyy threatened legal action against Scottish Salmon Watch for publishing information via 'Scottish Scamon'. Here's the legal threat served in June 2019:
Scottish Salmon Watch did not remove the offending report and stands by the published information. Find out more about the scam, sham and consumer con that is 'Scottish Scamon' online here.
When Alexandra Morton pioneered secret filming inside salmon farms in 2016 I'd never even heard of a Go Pro camera - now five years later the Go Pro has dealt salmon farming the death blow in Canada and turned the tide against the disease-ridden industry in Scotland and Iceland. Alexandra Morton's 'Hard Evidence' was difficult to ignore when it was published in August 2016:
Further filming inside salmon farms published by Sea Shepherd Society in 2017 shocked the world:
Filming by Ernest Alfred and George Quocksister inside salmon farms across British Columbia in 2017 made waves in the global press and on social media.
Frödin's footage featured in the 2019 film 'Artifishal'.
In Scotland, Inside Scottish Salmon Feedlots (Corin Smith) and Scottish Salmon Watch both started secret filming inside salmon farms in the Summer of 2018 (independently and initially unknown to each other). Gruesome video footage shot by Corin Smith inside a salmon farm in Loch Roag in August 2018 was broadcast by the BBC One Show and The Ferret in September 2018:
In 2019, Sea Shepherd Society published further video footage gathered by Go Pro cameras inserted into salmon farms in British Columbia - including by Pamela Anderson - which has helped turn the tide of public opinion and government policy against salmon farming:
In Scotland, STV News and The Ferret broadcast video footage filmed by Scottish Salmon Watch inside a salmon farm operated by The Scottish Salmon Company in Loch Shieldaig in June 2019.
In May 2019, BBC Panorama broadcast video footage shot inside and under salmon farms in Scotland (as well as wild salmon near salmon farms infested with lice).
The watershed moment for secret filming inside salmon farms came when 'Seaspiracy' was first aired on Netflix in March 2021 - with video footage shot by Corin Smith inside The Scottish Salmon Company's lice-infested salmon farm in Loch Roag featured for millions around the world to watch in horror.
'Seaspiracy' quite literally lifted the lid on disease-ridden Scottish salmon when they climbed up a skip full of dead salmon at Mowi's RSPCA Assured and ASC-certified salmon farm at Gorsten in Loch Linnhe.
Photos of dead salmon belly up on the surface of a farm in Iceland https://t.co/xxmozhpBmm "It has taken them up to one and half hour to pump up dead fish from each net pen, this needs to be stopped right away" says Veiga Grétarsdóttir of 'Against the Current Iceland' #Icelandpic.twitter.com/pw18FwoILJ
Secret Filming Exposes Welfare Abuse Inside Salmon Cages in Iceland & Scotland - Go Pro cameras lift the lid on the horrors of factory fish farming! https://t.co/ve4uKy26l1 Campaigners are calling on open pen salmon farms to be closed down in the wake of horrific video footage pic.twitter.com/KLObWLqf1Y
Campaigners are calling on open pen salmon farms to be closed down in the wake of horrific video footage shot inside salmon farms in Iceland & Scotland “Factory fish farming is a welfare nightmare which must be closed down now,” said Don Staniford https://t.co/ve4uKy26l1
"The buzz kill of the week is this densely researched documentary that’s narrated by Kate Winslet and will probably make it impossible to ever again eat sushi or steak in good conscience (farmed salmon is off my menu!)" https://t.co/AJpbDpsCdb@thetimes@EatingOur#eowte
So five years after Alexandra Morton so bravely stuck her telescopic pole into the lice-infested waters of a salmon cage it is the Go Pro camera who has taken centre stage in the global battle against salmon farming.
“I am part of the #resistance movement against #extinction. The movement spans the globe. We are a force of nature. Like a #river, we well up, slip around, bore through and dive under obstacles. We don’t stop.
"We need to step up now and do something. This is really hard to take and I just wish that other people could see what I'm seeing. We need to do something about these fish farms before it's too late."
"From what I could see from here made me absolutely sick," said Ernest Alfred. "And I think the general public needs to know what's going on out here. Disgusting".
"They have no right to be here - they've never had persmission," said Millie Willie. "If you will see what I see today you'll feel the same way - all of Canada would feel the same way."
During the 'occupation' of salmon farms in 2017 and 2018, further video footage was captured by Go Pro cameras inside salmon farms - here's George Quocksister and Ernest Alfred armed with Go Pro cameras mounted on a fishing rod and a telescopic pole.
"I felt really powerful with a mandate and a responsibility to report and show these images to people - my people, my families - that these fish are really sick," said Ernest Alfred in a video report published by Sea Shepherd Society in August 2017. "These fish are polluting the environment that we call home. The images that came out of that farm are horrifying."
"After I got off the Noola farm I snuck off to the bow of the Martin Sheen and I just cried," said Ernest Alfred. "I had this incredible sadness."
"From afar we could see the fish were sluggish and from the water and bottom samples we could see the area was really dirty," said the R/V Martin Sheen in a Facebook post in August 2017. "The smell was pungent. On the sight of such a tragedy in his territorial waterways Hereditary Chief George set foot on the salmon farm to document the condition of those fish living in the pens."
Join us and say no to open-net #salmonfarming in Scotland. In the face of the Scottish Government's encouragement of the salmon farming industry, we will now oppose the continued operation of all open-net salmon farms. Pledge your support https://t.co/v7J2BlkfmXpic.twitter.com/JOA9k0nRwH
— Salmon & Trout Conservation (@SalmonTroutCons) October 13, 2021
And a boycott of Scottish salmon - 99.9% of 'Scottish' salmon on sale in supermarkets is farmed not wild - is gathering momentum across the UK.
In British Columbia, fuelled by shocking video footage and the power of First Nations occupying salmon farms, open net cages are dead in the water with a phase out by 2025 championed by the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The global push-back against ocean-based salmonid farming is gaining momentum: "We urge you to join the growing number of countries that have said ‘no’ to open net-pen aquaculture" (letter sent today by Global Salmon Farm Resistance) https://t.co/GU3OLgRkt8@alex4salmonpic.twitter.com/io1Qk97Tuo
Wanted: Whistleblowers of the world - do you have any video footage of farmed salmon 'morts' being dumped in pits or skips, floating inside feedlots or dead at the bottom of nets? https://t.co/AfqxVJajJCpic.twitter.com/CIoQpXEsZG
Halloween horror is an every day occurrence on the world's disease ridden salmon farms as the mountain of mortalities pile up ever higher. Clayoquot Action in British Columbia, Canada, posted on Facebook (7 October 2021):
Video footage of a mass mortality incident - and shocking evidence of lice infestation inside salmon cages at West Strome in Loch Carron at The Scottish Salmon Company - was also published last month.
Video footage of the mort disposal operation @salmon_scottish "The dead boat – absolutely packed to the gunnels with death: at least thirty tonnes of dead salmon on there today”. Like a serial killer burying the dead bodies before the police arrive! https://t.co/jhrwnsC7Sk
Photos of dead salmon belly up on the surface of a farm in Iceland https://t.co/xxmozhpBmm "It has taken them up to one and half hour to pump up dead fish from each net pen, this needs to be stopped right away" says Veiga Grétarsdóttir of 'Against the Current Iceland' #Icelandpic.twitter.com/pw18FwoILJ
45 per cent of the salmon killed by disease or other problems at Scottish fish farms end up as landfill, are incinerated or disposed of as waste. #fishytaleshttps://t.co/USRD8YDRoq
"CBC News requested a site tour from Northern Harvest Sea Farms, a subsidiary of MOWI, but that request was denied," reported CBC News (2 October 2019).
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/TRIgbdBz1qpic.twitter.com/PNZpWmva3f
It's official - Scottish salmon is the worst ever! Official data - published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency via 'Scotland's Aquaculture' which is sourced from monthly returns submitted by salmon farming companies - reveals that mortalities on salmon farms during 2020 exceeded a staggering 27,000 tonnes (an estimated 20 million dead salmon). That's more than double the 10,000 tonnes of morts reported in 2013; almost four times more than the 7,000 tonnes reported in 2010 and the worst on record (2019 and 2017 were both just over 25,000 tonnes)!
To put the scale of Scottish salmon's mort mountain into perspective, over a quarter (26%) of all farmed salmon in the sea phase of production are dying before they reach harvest size. BBC Countryfile reported in December 2020:
Censored: Salmon farmers in Scotland refuse to publish numbers of deaths as disclosure is "commercially damaging" https://t.co/FiaGuR3KoG Yet Norway published 2020 data detailing 52 million deaths - why the double standard when Norway owns 80% of 'Scottish' salmon? @ScottishEPApic.twitter.com/S6d45qnsTx
Reality check: High fish mortalities: Over the last decade, Mowi had the highest amount of fish mortalities out of the top salmon producers. Since 2010, 50 million salmon (a quarter of a million tonnes) have died or escaped from Mowi farms – worth $1.7 bn https://t.co/bUhhsb4jd6pic.twitter.com/Q5WnNmfgfG
Inside Scottish Salmon Feedlots reveals the shocking death rates on Scotland's salmon farms! "There are huge questions for @rspcaassured" says Corin Smith Grieg Seafood tops the list with 78% mortality - that's four out of every five salmon dying!https://t.co/oO6wWCqTQBpic.twitter.com/tGvGEZNiaA
The mass mortalities are piled so high in disease-ridden salmon farms across Scotland that video footage of dead fish is not hard to come by!
Wanted: Whistleblowers of the world - do you have any video footage of farmed salmon 'morts' being dumped in pits or skips, floating inside feedlots or dead at the bottom of nets? https://t.co/AfqxVJajJCpic.twitter.com/CIoQpXEsZG
Join us and say no to open-net #salmonfarming in Scotland. In the face of the Scottish Government's encouragement of the salmon farming industry, we will now oppose the continued operation of all open-net salmon farms. Pledge your support https://t.co/v7J2BlkfmXpic.twitter.com/JOA9k0nRwH
— Salmon & Trout Conservation (@SalmonTroutCons) October 13, 2021
“Despite the overwhelming evidence that open-net salmon farming as practiced in Scotland is unsustainable, it has become ever more apparent that Scottish Ministers are not minded to alter their position from one of almost total support for the industry, whatever it seeks to do. The time has come to make it clear that open-net farms should be closed down as soon as is practicable. And make no mistake, the reason we feel we must make this call is due to the failure of Scottish Government to act to protect the Scottish aquatic environment and its wildlife.”
Andrew Graham-Stewart, Director of Salmon and Trout Conservation Scotland (S&TCS), said:
“We have engaged with successive Scottish Governments and regulators for over 20 years in efforts to persuade them to introduce effective regulation of salmon farming, particularly to protect wild salmon and sea trout from the devastatingly negative impacts of sea lice proliferation.
“The response has been little more than lip-service whilst enabling the industry to expand production exponentially, exacerbating all the environmental problems associated with open-net farming. Scottish Government’s recent announcement of a two-year review of regulation, yet another delaying tactic, and its endorsement of the fundamentally inadequate Salmon Interactions Working Group’s report amount to conclusive confirmation that it has no intention of introducing meaningful reform. We have reached the end of the road.”
Salmon farming is a malignant cancer on the coasts of Scotland," said Don Staniford, Director of Scottish Salmon Watch. "If the Scottish Government is serious about protecting the marine environment then ripping out every salmon cage is a good place to start. The new SNP-Green deal commits to 'Highly Protected Marine Areas' for inshore and offshore locations, which will cover at least 10% of Scottish waters where salmon farming will be prohibited. The SNP-Green co-operation agreement recognises that a transitional 'phasing-out' period within HPMAs will be needed and we urge that all sea cage salmon farms in Scotland are closed down by 2025 as it already taking place in British Columbia. The Scottish Government's plans to double salmon farming production by 2030 are dead in the water."
"The 'Scottish' salmon farming industry - 99% of which is foreign owned/controlled - claims that their marine footprint is currently just 168 hectares (less than 200 football pitches), that's 0.003% of Scottish territorial waters," continued Staniford who features in the forthcoming film 'Eating Our Way to Extinction' narrated by Kate Winslet. "Farming disease-ridden salmon in 'Special Areas of Conservation' and 'Marine Protected Areas' such as Lochs Creran, Alsh, Duich, Laxford and Roag is anathema to marine protection. Does Scotland want unhealthy salmon farms choking the life out of the coast or a healthy marine ecosystem which supports tourism and a sustainable marine economy?"
"Closing down every salmon farm littering the coast of Scotland would help halt the spread of lice infestation, the killing of marine mammals and toxic pollution as well as allow marine wildlife such as wild salmon, sea trout, harbour porpoises, whales, dolphins and shellfish the space to thrive," concluded Staniford who appears in Netflix's global hit 'Seaspiracy'. "Tourists visiting Scotland do not want to see and smell the nauseating underbelly of Scottish salmon!"
"Salmon farming is a malignant cancer on the coasts of Scotland. Does Scotland want unhealthy salmon farms choking the life out of the coast or a healthy marine ecosystem which supports tourism and a sustainable marine economy?" https://t.co/A0uRlkYvCOpic.twitter.com/Gun7S7RNzw
The phrase 'phyrrhic victory' keeps leaping to mind when I think of the legal battle lying ahead for Norwegian giant Mowi (owned by John Fredriksen who Forbes magazine described in 2001 as a 'Viking Raider' - "a murky character notorious for rowdy drinking binges and playing rough with takeover targets").
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
You might get your order, I've not seen your pleadings. Whenever I've advised corporates who are planning on engaging in an asymmetric war I always point them to this page. It's a brave corporate who engages in this type of action. https://t.co/m8zM8H6hfn
The reference to the 'McLibel' trial is all the more appropriate given the fact that Mowi's owner (John Fredriksen) was dubbed 'McFreddy' by the Norwegian press when Mowi (then called Marine Harvest) teamed up with McDonald's to flog cheap and nasty farmed salmon.
"Big is NOT beautiful when it comes to Marine Harvest - the McDonald's of the salmon farming world.
Photo: John Fredriksen, owner of Marine Harvest, and 87th richest person in the world worth $11.5 billion according to the Forbes Rich List!
Marine Harvest owner John Fredriksen, who looks as if he's eaten more than his fair share of farmed salmon and Big Macs, was nicknamed 'McFreddy' by the Norwegian media in 2007 following Marine Harvest's link up with McDonald's.
The Norway-only trial of the 'Laksewrap' (Salmon Wrap) was meant to "catch on internationally". "It is very exciting to cooperate with McDonalds and launch such a healty and delicious product at the fast food chain", said Arne Hjeltnes, Communication Director in Marine Harvest.
However, even the rabidly pro-salmon farming Norwegians found the 'Laksewrap' left a bad taste in the mouth.
In 1997, McDonald's were sued when "four people, including two McDonald's employees, were hospitalized after eating tainted McLaks salmon burgers at a restaurant in Lorenskog, located in the outskirts of Oslo". McDonald's Norway confirmed that the food poisoning materialized from a "corrupted" consignment of salmon fillets delivered by the Norwegian fish firm West Fish, based in Alesund. Separate legal actions against McDonald's were filed by the four people who claimed they became sick after consuming McLaks burgers. "At first the McLaks tasted very good, but after some minutes my mouth and throat became numb, and I experienced internal spasms," said Geir Sundberg, one of the four filing suit against McDonald's.
"In Norway, McDonald's pulled the McLaks salmon burger off the market after four customers were treated for food poisoning. McLaks had been a hit with health-conscious Norwegians, and McDonald's had been considering expanding the product to Sweden and Denmark"
If the financial backers of the Norwegian behemoth (who appropriated the name Mowi despite opposition from the Mowinckel family) don't want to read then they could simply watch 'Apocalypse Now' to see how the asymmetric war between the powerful US forces and the guerilla warfare of the Viet Cong played out.
Mowi's Titanic-sized disease problems have already been watched by millions via Netflix's 'Seaspricacy'.
Mowi's million dollar management team may also wish to consult with another book: the Bible. And in particular turn to the first book of Samuel to peruse the story of David and Goliath.
Yet for all Mowi's money even before this case goes to trial - and is heard in public court - they have have already lost the PR battle and lost their social and environmental licence.
Having met Don Staniford I know he is committed to exposing poor welfare in the salmon industry so they are forced to improve the conditions for the fish. If salmon welfare was good then there would be nothing to expose #fishwelfarehttps://t.co/Sb0LfqlnDx
"My journalistic action was done in the general public’s interest; we are revealing environmental crime, detestable animal management, and collapsing ecosystems. Far more serious violations than the documentation led to. I do not think that I should be the one to be sentenced, because it was my duty as a reporter to shed light on the gravity of the situation for the general public. I f the law says that you cannot look for yourself, we are dependent on the companies providing correct information. Now that we know how it looks, we know their information does not tally."
Frödin claimed in a press release that the journalistic act was a rescue action, which should be covered by the provisions within the law on necessity. His lawyer Svein Holden said:
"In our opinion this case raises several fundamental questions, which have not been tried previously by Norwegian courts of law. Frödin’s purpose with this act was to create an environmental policy debate and contribute to a change of framework conditions for the fish farming industry. That is why we think it is important to have the assessment of the Hålogaland court of appeal on whether his act meets the conditions inscribed in the provisions on necessity."
"Unlawful Intrusion" claim by Kames retracted by Fish Farmer. @kamesfishfarm challenged to back up "false, baseless & libellous" comment. "The recent footage featured by Staniford is out of context & not worthy of discussion". Nothing illegal to see here, honest! pic.twitter.com/Zdr5oZLCEI
When STV News reported earlier this week (11 October 2021) on Mowi's legal action they included photos from Mowi's lice-infested salmon farms.
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@giannilmarinipic.twitter.com/o8kveENGsj
Mowi's press release issued on Friday (8 October 2021) publicising the court case - against the unwritten rules of the court - was keen to cite a previous court case which I lost on appeal in Canada. In that case against Norwegian-owned Mainstream Canada (Cermaq) - now owned by Japanese giant Mitsubishi - I won in 2012.
These are the reasons why Mowi don't want #DonStaniford to be poking around their salmon farms, it's definitely nothing to do with animal welfare. https://t.co/NLEwsJyDTI
STV News report on Mowi's legal action by using photos of their lice-infested salmon I shot inside their farms in July (the reason they're suing me) & citing an article in May where @MowiScotlandLtd was found responsible for the death of Clive Hendry https://t.co/tiY0Jw3Ofgpic.twitter.com/S0Tv6Vb3ML
In filing a lawsuit & issuing a press release publicising their legal action against me, Mowi's lawyers have ignored basic science. I flunked physics at school but understand Newton's 'Third Law of Motion': For every action, there is an equal & opposite reaction! @MowiScotlandLtdpic.twitter.com/h7GUFRzHzw
My legal defence tactics are informed by watching Sean Connery in 'The Hunt for Red October' - turning directly into the torpedo is sometimes the right course of action. "Attack is the best form of defence" military strategists advise! https://t.co/7nnK2MCWbu
The truth will out, Don. All the other filmers and supporters out there, please get behind Don to scour out MOWI until it goes the same way as nearly 30% of it's cruelly treated farmed salmon - to an early death!
We all know the trade press is biased in terms of pro-salmon farming reporting but surely even publications like The Fish Site still have to be abide by a media code of ethics which includes a droit de response (right of reply)?
From: Don Staniford<salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com> Date: Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 3:53 PM Subject: One-sided story To: <nickiholmyard@gmail.com>, <editor@seafoodsource.com>, Cliff White <cwhite@divcom.com>
Nicki,
Isn't Seafood Source governed by a code of conduct/ethics in terms of reporting?
Every other trade press publication - except The Fish Site, Seafood Source and Salmon Business - contacted me to provide a quote in reply to Mowi's lawsuit (Intrafish, Fish Farmer, Fish Farming Expert, Undercurrent News and even SeaWest News).
Seafood Source's article included Mowi's press release but no counter-point:
Thankfully, the editor of Seafood Source immediately agreed to update the original article to at least include a quote in response to Mowi's press release:
From: Cliff White <CWhite@divcom.com> Date: Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 3:54 PM Subject: RE: One-sided story To: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Hi Don,
My apologies, I was on vacation last week and just got back into the office this morning. I will add in your statement to the piece now (we just published it around 2 minutes ago).
Earlier today I emailed The Fish Site and Salmon Business (who both reported on Mowi's lawsuit without seeking a critical comment in reply:
From: Don Staniford<salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com> Date: Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 2:18 PM Subject: One-sided argument To: <rob@hatch.blue> Cc: <moritz@hatch.blue>
Rob,
Isn't The Fish Site governed by a code of conduct/ethics in terms of reporting?
Every other trade press publication - except The Fish Site and Salmon Business - contacted me to provide a quote in reply to Mowi's lawsuit (Intrafish, Fish Farmer, Fish Farming Expert, Undercurrent News and even SeaWest News).
I've already sent you my quote in reply to Mowi's press release which you covered in full - here it is again: Press statement on lawsuit vs Mowi
Thanks,
Don
From: Don Staniford<salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com> Date: Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 4:09 PM Subject: One-sided reporting in breach of journalistic code of ethics? To: <post@salmonbusiness.com>
Isn't Salmon Business governed by a code of conduct/ethics in terms of reporting?
Every other trade press publication - except The Fish Site, Seafood Business and Salmon Business - contacted me to provide a quote in reply to Mowi's lawsuit (Intrafish, Fish Farmer, Fish Farming Expert, Undercurrent News and even SeaWest News).
Here's Salmon Business's biased article which failed - until earlier this evening - to include any quote from myself or right of reply to Mowi's press statement:
Salmon Business have now (as of 6pm on 12 October) added this sentence following my email complaining of a lack of journalistic ethics:
From: Moritz Mueller<moritz@hatch.blue> Date: Tue, Oct 12, 2021 at 6:35 PM Subject: Re: One-sided argument To: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com> Cc: Rob Fletcher <rob@hatch.blue>
Hi Don,
we are aware of your reply now and will see to it being reflected in the news piece - apologies for the delay, this was not intentional.
Ocean sustainability, healthy and restorative farming practices are core part of the Fish Site’s coverage - I’m sure you will find that reflected on our site.
"Anyone visiting the four museums when they reopen will notice that farmed salmon has been banished entirely from its cafes and restaurants" @Tatehttps://t.co/bVjSq41j8M@MSNBC@CookingSections Please join the global boycott against farmed salmon!
In filing a lawsuit & issuing a press release publicising their legal action against me, Mowi's lawyers have ignored basic science. I flunked physics at school but understand Newton's 'Third Law of Motion': For every action, there is an equal & opposite reaction! @MowiScotlandLtdpic.twitter.com/h7GUFRzHzw
If the brains behind Mowi's ill-judged legal action need pictures, here's Newton's 'Third Law of Motion' explained by Garfield in images that even spoiled toddlers would understand.
On Friday afternoon I received a number of emails from reporters at various trade press publications asking for a comment in reaction to a press release issued by Norwegian-owned giant Mowi. Two trade press reporters kindly shared Mowi's press release issued at 5.52am on Friday 8 October 2021 (Mowi's Director of Communications, Ian Roberts, could have been in Canada so 5.52am may have been 1.52pm UK time) and said they were reporting soon - here's one of the emails I received from Intrafish's editor:
Date: Fri, Oct 8, 2021 at 1:56 PM Subject: Fw: News Release - Mowi seeks court order, undertakings received from defendant To: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com> Cc: Intrafish Editorial <editorial@intrafish.com>
Hi Don - assuming you have seen? We'll be publishing a story on this soon, so if you have any first-take react to it, we would be happy to add to the piece.
From: Roberts, Ian <Ian.Roberts@mowi.com> Sent: Friday, October 8, 2021 5:52 AM Subject: News Release - Mowi seeks court order, undertakings received from defendant
Hello,
Please see news release below for your consideration. If you have any questions of clarification, please contact me directly. Mowi will not be providing additional comment at this time as it is ongoing litigation.
Court order sought to protect health and safety
Mowi Scotland is seeking a permanent interdict (injunction) against an individual who, despite repeated requests not to do so, has continued to put himself and the company’s employees and animals at risk.
Scotland’s largest salmon aquaculture company has commenced proceedings seeking orders preventing Don Staniford from entering onto, attaching vessels to or approaching within 15 metres of all structures, docks, walkways, buildings, floats or pens at its salmon aquaculture farming sites. Following the service of court papers, Mr Staniford gave undertakings to Court this week to not act as complained of pending a full determination of the proceedings.
Mowi Scotland COO Ben Hadfield says: “This person’s behaviours and actions that we have borne witness to over the past two years gives cause for great concern, and is not something that our staff should have to endure whilst going about their daily work. Everyone should be able to go to work and expect their workplace to be free of harassment and intimidation.”
Mr Staniford had been characterized by The Honourable Madam Justice Adair (Supreme Court of British Columbia) in the case of Mainstream Canada v. Don Staniford (2012)[i]. In her written judgement, Justice Adair pointed to Mr Staniford mocking the physical appearance of three woman who provided testimony, and described Mr Staniford as “akin to a zealot” who will “twist facts to conform to his own personal view.”
“While these behaviours and the complete lack of respect toward our employees are deeply concerning to us, the basis for these court proceedings is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, our fish and Mr Staniford and his associates. Our business also receives much oversight from licensed professionals, government regulators and third-party auditors, and therefore does not require the services of self-appointed individuals.”
Mowi’s writ cites the regular site visits and audits conducted by professionals trained in such areas as fish health, safety, and environmental management. The Scottish salmon sector – the country’s largest food export – is recognised as one of the most highly regulated and transparent. Mowi Scotland’s salmon aquaculture farms were inspected 316 times in 2020 by third-party organisations that included Marine Scotland, SEPA and the RSPCA, with much of its data provided online for the public to access.
“We have not wanted to pursue legal recourse, but we cannot stand by and watch any person risk injury to themselves or for them to intentionally or unintentionally bring harm to our employees or our fish. These incursions are dangerous, unauthorised, risk our strict health protocols and have an unacceptable impact on our dedicated employees.”
[1] The Honourable Madam Justice Adair’s (Supreme Court of British Columbia) written judgement in the case of Mainstream Canada v. Don Staniford (2012) referred to Mr Staniford mocking the physical appearance of three woman who provided testimony (para 90) and described Mr Staniford as “akin to a zealot” (para 185-189). https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/SC/12/14/2012BCSC1433.htm
-ends-
Ian Roberts Director of Communications Scotland, Ireland, Canada –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Mobile: +1 (506) 754-6019 Mail: Ian.Roberts@mowi.com
We're going to run a story on this, if you'd care to comment? Aiming to publish in the next hour but can add comment as soon as it arrives.
Best, Neil
---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Roberts, Ian <Ian.Roberts@mowi.com> Date: Fri, Oct 8, 2021 at 1:52 PM Subject: News Release - Mowi seeks court order, undertakings received from defendant To:
Hello,
Please see news release below for your consideration. If you have any questions of clarification, please contact me directly. Mowi will not be providing additional comment at this time as it is ongoing litigation.
Court order sought to protect health and safety
Mowi Scotland is seeking a permanent interdict (injunction) against an individual who, despite repeated requests not to do so, has continued to put himself and the company’s employees and animals at risk.
Scotland’s largest salmon aquaculture company has commenced proceedings seeking orders preventing Don Staniford from entering onto, attaching vessels to or approaching within 15 metres of all structures, docks, walkways, buildings, floats or pens at its salmon aquaculture farming sites. Following the service of court papers, Mr Staniford gave undertakings to Court this week to not act as complained of pending a full determination of the proceedings.
Mowi Scotland COO Ben Hadfield says: “This person’s behaviours and actions that we have borne witness to over the past two years gives cause for great concern, and is not something that our staff should have to endure whilst going about their daily work. Everyone should be able to go to work and expect their workplace to be free of harassment and intimidation.”
Mr Staniford had been characterized by The Honourable Madam Justice Adair (Supreme Court of British Columbia) in the case of Mainstream Canada v. Don Staniford (2012)[i]. In her written judgement, Justice Adair pointed to Mr Staniford mocking the physical appearance of three woman who provided testimony, and described Mr Staniford as “akin to a zealot” who will “twist facts to conform to his own personal view.”
“While these behaviours and the complete lack of respect toward our employees are deeply concerning to us, the basis for these court proceedings is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our employees, our fish and Mr Staniford and his associates. Our business also receives much oversight from licensed professionals, government regulators and third-party auditors, and therefore does not require the services of self-appointed individuals.”
Mowi’s writ cites the regular site visits and audits conducted by professionals trained in such areas as fish health, safety, and environmental management. The Scottish salmon sector – the country’s largest food export – is recognised as one of the most highly regulated and transparent. Mowi Scotland’s salmon aquaculture farms were inspected 316 times in 2020 by third-party organisations that included Marine Scotland, SEPA and the RSPCA, with much of its data provided online for the public to access.
“We have not wanted to pursue legal recourse, but we cannot stand by and watch any person risk injury to themselves or for them to intentionally or unintentionally bring harm to our employees or our fish. These incursions are dangerous, unauthorised, risk our strict health protocols and have an unacceptable impact on our dedicated employees.”
[1] The Honourable Madam Justice Adair’s (Supreme Court of British Columbia) written judgement in the case of Mainstream Canada v. Don Staniford (2012) referred to Mr Staniford mocking the physical appearance of three woman who provided testimony (para 90) and described Mr Staniford as “akin to a zealot” (para 185-189). https://www.bccourts.ca/jdb-txt/SC/12/14/2012BCSC1433.htm
-ends-
Ian Roberts Director of Communications Scotland, Ireland, Canada –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Mobile: +1 (506) 754-6019 Mail: Ian.Roberts@mowi.com
FREE READ: @MowiScotlandLtd is taking anti- #aquaculture campaigner Don Staniford of @TheGAAIA to court, seeking an injunction to prevent him coming near its #salmon farms on "health and safety grounds":
By mid-afternoon, Mowi's Director of Communications (Ian Roberts) had posted Mowi's press release online - here's an email sent by Mowi's Director of Communications to a news reporter:
Subject: News Release: Mowi seeks court order, undertaking received from defendant
Date: 8 October 2021 at 16:08:28 BST
To:
I am forwarding you our latest news release for your consideration, as it is relevant to past stories covered by your publication. If you have any questions of clarification, please contact me directly. Mowi will not be providing additional comment at this time as it is ongoing litigation.
The reason why Mowi wishes me to stay away from their salmon farms is painfully clear.
Having met Don Staniford I know he is committed to exposing poor welfare in the salmon industry so they are forced to improve the conditions for the fish. If salmon welfare was good then there would be nothing to expose #fishwelfarehttps://t.co/Sb0LfqlnDx
These are the reasons why Mowi don't want #DonStaniford to be poking around their salmon farms, it's definitely nothing to do with animal welfare. https://t.co/NLEwsJyDTI
STV News report on Mowi's legal action by using photos of their lice-infested salmon I shot inside their farms in July (the reason they're suing me) & citing an article in May where @MowiScotlandLtd was found responsible for the death of Clive Hendry https://t.co/tiY0Jw3Ofgpic.twitter.com/S0Tv6Vb3ML
"Watch the video footage and judge for yourself who's acting recklessly and dangerous - last week (8 October 2021) Mowi's lawyers and Mowi Scotland's COO Ben Hadfield accused me of acting dangerously. For context, I'm the guy standing still on the salmon farm cage in a red life jacket holding a telescopic orange pole with a Go Pro camera attached (the equipment had been disinfected and proper biosecurity protocols followed) next to my blue kayak which was tied up safely to Mowi's farm at Ardintoul in Loch Alsh 'Special Area of Conservation'":
In May 2021, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch published a damning report on how negligence by Norwegian-owned Mowi caused the horrific death of Clive Hendry who was crushed between a workboat and feed storage unit at the Ardintoul salmon farm in Loch Alsh in February 2020.
"An experienced salmon farmer died after being crushed between a boat and a barge" @DailyMirrorhttps://t.co/LMMHhbYFjU "Mowi Scotland Ltd has been advised to 'fully implement a safety management system across its fleet'" @maibgovuk@ScotlandMowi How much will Mowi be fined?
The Mowi worker took the photos and video whilst working on the salmon farm and criticised the Norwegian-owned giant for "bad management" and "poorly kept conditions of fish".
The whistleblower - who was employed by Mowi when the photos/video were taken - told me that "fish farming is a disgusting industry", "oil spills were an every day thing" and that they hoped the leaked information "goes towards shutting down the salmon farming industry, which I totally agree with because it is an absolute horrible sector!"
"With the 'swim throughs, they are constantly crowding fish and then they get scratched along the netting which descales them," explained the Mowi whistleblower.
Mowi's PR assault demanded an immediate tactical response - and sometimes the best form of defence is attack!
My legal defence tactics are informed by watching Sean Connery in 'The Hunt for Red October' - turning directly into the torpedo is sometimes the right course of action. "Attack is the best form of defence" military strategists advise! https://t.co/7nnK2MCWbu
Caught on candid camera - The Scottish Salmon Company claim to have an EPS licence to use ADDs at their salmon farm at West Strome in Loch Carron https://t.co/vvP9mJfXF1 I thought there were no EPS licences issued for ADDs on salmon farms! @nature_scot@marinescotland@SSPOsays
Hi Don, I am to provide material evidence and witness statements to MS Compliance on Thursday. I speak to them first before release any specific details as don’t want to compromise their investigation.
Jeremy Paxman in today's Daily Mail: "About one fifth of caged salmon are killed by disease and parasites before they can be ‘harvested’....You won’t catch a salmon fisherman like me eating a fish that has been reared like this" https://t.co/gIYA0OCmz9@MailOnline@JeremyPaxman
On Friday afternoon I received a number of emails from reporters at various trade press publications asking for a comment in reaction to a press release issued by Norwegian-owned giant Mowi. Two trade press reporters kindly shared Mowi's press release (issued at 1.52pm on Friday 8 October 2021) and said they were reporting on the news within the hour - hence I felt obliged to issue a press statement in reply.
"Scotland’s largest salmon farmer, Mowi, is seeking a permanent interdict in the courts to prevent activist Don Staniford from accessing its farm sites without permission" @fishfarmermaghttps://t.co/ggQl7ODumU "I look forward to debating these vital legal issues in open court" pic.twitter.com/uJQaS1ISUa
Having met Don Staniford I know he is committed to exposing poor welfare in the salmon industry so they are forced to improve the conditions for the fish. If salmon welfare was good then there would be nothing to expose #fishwelfarehttps://t.co/Sb0LfqlnDx
Mowi's Scottish division is seeking a permanent interdict (injunction) against anti-aquaculture campaigner Don Staniford on health and safety grounds.
Staniford, despite repeated requests not to do so, has continued to put himself and the company’s employees and animals at risk, the company claimed.
Scotland’s largest salmon aquaculture company has commenced proceedings seeking orders preventing Staniford from entering onto, attaching vessels to or approaching within 15 meters of all structures, docks, walkways, buildings, floats or pens at its salmon aquaculture farming sites. Following the service of court papers, Staniford has given undertakings to court to not act as complained of, pending a full determination of the proceedings.
"This person’s behaviors and actions that we have borne witness to over the past two years gives cause for great concern and is not something that our staff should have to endure whilst going about their daily work," said Mowi Scotland's chief operating officer, Ben Hadfield. "Everyone should be able to go to work and expect their workplace to be free of harassment and intimidation."
While Mowi has been concerned at Staniford's "lack of respect toward...employees", the basis for these court proceedings is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of employees, fish and Staniford and his associates, the company said.
"Our business also receives much oversight from licensed professionals, government regulators and third-party auditors, and therefore does not require the services of self-appointed individuals."
Mowi’s writ cites the regular site visits and audits conducted by professionals trained in such areas as fish health, safety, and environmental management. The Scottish salmon sector -- the country’s largest food export -- is recognized as one of the most highly regulated and transparent, it said.
Mowi Scotland’s salmon aquaculture farms were inspected 316 times in 2020 by third-party organizations that included Marine Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), with much of its data provided online for the public to access, it continued.
"We have not wanted to pursue legal recourse, but we cannot stand by and watch any person risk injury to themselves or for them to intentionally or unintentionally bring harm to our employees or our fish. These incursions are dangerous, unauthorized, risk our strict health protocols and have an unacceptable impact on our dedicated employees."
Staniford told Undercurrent News he would be defending Mowi's legal action "in the strongest terms".
He claimed film shot inside Mowi's salmon farms in July revealed welfare abuse, "mass mortalities and lice infestations", and said he was not surprised the Norwegian firm wanted to prevent the public from finding out "the ugly truth about Scottish salmon".
"Thankfully, the truth always wins out in the end and I look forward to debating these vital legal issues in open court," he added. The RSPCA went on to clear Mowi of the allegations made, finding no evidence to support them.
FREE READ: @MowiScotlandLtd is taking anti- #aquaculture campaigner Don Staniford of @TheGAAIA to court, seeking an injunction to prevent him coming near its #salmon farms on "health and safety grounds":
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@giannilmarinipic.twitter.com/o8kveENGsj
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
Watch the video footage and judge for yourself who's acting recklessly and dangerous - last week (8 October 2021) Mowi's lawyers and Mowi Scotland's COO Ben Hadfield accused me of acting dangerously. For context, I'm the guy standing still on the salmon farm cage in a red life jacket holding a telescopic orange pole with a Go Pro camera attached (the equipment had been disinfected and proper biosecurity protocols followed) next to my blue kayak which was tied up safely to Mowi's farm at Ardintoul in Loch Alsh 'Special Area of Conservation':
Adrenaline fuelled Mowi skipper calmly lights a cigarette after almost killing or injuring observers. pic.twitter.com/XhzbnQljIP
Legal action proposed by @ScotlandMowi and supported by @SSPOsays has negative consequences and infringes our inalienable rights to freely navigate #ourseas. Polluting the sea is not enough for this conglomerate, they now want to control and own it above the peoples of Scotland! https://t.co/LPNINdmcc5
When Prince Charles, patron of the Atlantic Salmon Trust, visited Skye last month he appeared to endorse 'Organic' Sea Harvest's expansion plans. The Press & Journal reported (17 September 2021):
'Organic' Sea Harvest has been desperately lobbying for royal approval for their toxic and disease-ridden product - despite the use of the lobster-killing chemical Deltamethrin at the Soil Association-certified 'organic' salmon farming company. Scottish Salmon Watch reported in March 2021:
Royal patronage and support for environmentally destructive salmon farming dates back to the 1970s when the Duke of Edinburgh visited Mowi's salmon farm in Loch Ailort leading to the royal seal of approval for Mowi salmon.
Prince Charles's patronage of salmon farming interests via the Atlantic Salmon Trust raises serious questions. Scottish Salmon Watch reported in September 2020:
OUT NOW! ‘Eating Our Way To Extinction’ It’s time to expose the truth! This incredible blue planet is all we have. Narrated by Academy Award-winner Kate Winslet!
Yesterday (10 October 2021), I was leaked videos and photos from a whistleblower working at Mowi's lice-infested salmon farming operations in Scotland. The Mowi worker took the photos and video whilst working on the salmon farm and criticised the Norwegian-owned giant for "bad management" and "poorly kept conditions of fish".
The whistleblower - who was employed by Mowi when the photos/video were taken - told me that "fish farming is a disgusting industry", "oil spills were an every day thing" and that they hoped the leaked information "goes towards shutting down the salmon farming industry, which I totally agree with because it is an absolute horrible sector!"
"With the 'swim throughs, they are constantly crowding fish and then they get scratched along the netting which descales them," explained the Mowi whistleblower.
Here's video footage leaked by the Mowi whistleblower (along with hydraulic oil) - the first video is of a 'swim through' which leaves fish scarred from the nets and the second shows a "hydraulic oil spillage out of portable generator used for net changes which happens every day":
Scottish Salmon Watch is calling on workers inside the salmon farming industry to blow the whistle on the illegal killing of seals, mass mortalities, disease problems, toxic chemical use, welfare abuse & any other cruel practices https://t.co/ARohq1l23W@salmon_scottishpic.twitter.com/FoQyxlyxnP
In 2018, Scottish Salmon Watch was contacted by another whistleblower working at Mowi's mortality-hit Carradale salmon farm in Kilbrannan Sound who leaked photos of mass mortalities.
A snapshot into 'Waste Management' in Scottish salmon farming (where ca. 15 million fish die each year at a mortality rate of 20-25%) https://t.co/hyztwncvhOhttps://t.co/FZq0diz5Ei Including 300,000 skinned alive at Mowi's salmon farm at Carradale in Kilbrannan Sound pic.twitter.com/Hur4VyxVLy
If you have any photos, video footage or any inside knowledge of salmon farms in Scotland which you would like to pass on please email me via salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com or use the contact form: https://scottishscamon.co.uk/contact-us
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
Watch the video footage and judge for yourself who's acting recklessly and dangerous - earlier this week (8 October 2021) Mowi's lawyers and Mowi Scotland's COO Ben Hadfield accused me of acting dangerously. For context, I'm the guy standing still on the salmon farm cage in a red life jacket holding a telescopic orange pole with a Go Pro camera attached (the equipment had been disinfected and proper biosecurity protocols followed) next to my blue kayak which was tied up safely to Mowi's farm at Ardintoul in Loch Alsh 'Special Area of Conservation':
Adrenaline fuelled Mowi skipper calmly lights a cigarette after almost killing or injuring observers. pic.twitter.com/XhzbnQljIP
That's not a canoe, it's a small light inflatable dinghy that could easily have been capsized, and that is not safe navigational practice. It was wreckless, dangerous and intented to intimidate: is this condoned by @MowiScotlandLtd and tolerated by @maibgovuk & @H_S_E ?
In May 2021, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch published a damning report on how negligence by Norwegian-owned Mowi caused the horrific death of Clive Hendry who was crushed between a workboat and feed storage unit at the Ardintoul salmon farm in Loch Alsh in February 2020.
"An experienced salmon farmer died after being crushed between a boat and a barge" @DailyMirrorhttps://t.co/LMMHhbYFjU "Mowi Scotland Ltd has been advised to 'fully implement a safety management system across its fleet'" @maibgovuk@ScotlandMowi How much will Mowi be fined?
Download Scottish Salmon Watch's letter of complaint to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (1 May 2020) in full online here
That is a deliberate and very dangerous act. It's the most apalling seamanship and I'm contacting the MCA Office in Paisley directly about it. Somebody needs to lose their license over this and I'll do my best to ensure that happens. https://t.co/d7FccSdimN
My legal defence tactics are informed by watching Sean Connery in 'The Hunt for Red October' - turning directly into the torpedo is sometimes the right course of action. "Attack is the best form of defence" military strategists advise! https://t.co/7nnK2MCWbu
Not everyone on the Isle of Skye was disappointed by the decision to refuse expansion of 'organic' salmon farming:
WE WON THE BATTLE!
After YEARS of fighting, permission to build a cruel & toxic #salmonfarm in our bay has been denied. This place is a unique ecosystem full of diverse & important wildlife, it was such high stakes.
Balmaqueen factory farm Skye,planning refused, appeal failed. Nice to see Organic (fake) Sea Harvest get their comeuppance. This divisive, fake named company prepared to throw communities under a bus to get what they want for 🤑🤑 @PrivateEyeNews@FerretScot@alexmacinnessnppic.twitter.com/8me17NFmkU
The scam that is 'organic' Scottish salmon - aka 'Organic Scamon' - has almost trebled in a year: increasing from 4,462 tonnes of 'organic' salmon reported in 2019 to 12,528 tonnes in 2020. That's a leap of 181% in a single year! https://t.co/VdswDPek3E@SoilAssociationpic.twitter.com/U6A3Isa3Hv
You might get your order, I've not seen your pleadings. Whenever I've advised corporates who are planning on engaging in an asymmetric war I always point them to this page. It's a brave corporate who engages in this type of action. https://t.co/m8zM8H6hfn
My legal defence tactics are informed by watching Sean Connery in 'The Hunt for Red October' - turning directly into the torpedo is sometimes the right course of action. "Attack is the best form of defence" military strategists advise! https://t.co/7nnK2MCWbu
FREE READ: @MowiScotlandLtd is taking anti- #aquaculture campaigner Don Staniford of @TheGAAIA to court, seeking an injunction to prevent him coming near its #salmon farms on "health and safety grounds":
Crocodile tears from the boss of Mowi (who raked in over $1 million last year): "There will unfortunately be times when individual animals are in distress, and these isolated examples can be understandably concerning to the public as well as the farmer" https://t.co/pW3VK9XlPppic.twitter.com/00HT0JCdtl
"Scottish salmon farming is a horror story," says Andrew Holder of Dip in the Blue "When will the RSPCA stop condoning the torture of millions of farmed salmon in Scotland, by allowing it to be labeled as RSPCA Assured?" https://t.co/dhVFllDjXX@andrholderpic.twitter.com/IfAXFP72mv
Watch video footage shot by Scottish Salmon Watch at Mowi's RSPCA Assured and ASC-certified salmon farm at Gorsten in Loch Linnhe during the same night as Seaspiracy visited:
Funny they claim it's out of concern for your safety🤦♀️😆 Seems more like a loud endorsement of how effective you've been at exposing them. Nice work 🔥@MowiScotlandLtd how utterly pathetic.. but hey, you go on, keep thinking this move doesn't reveal what you really are.. pic.twitter.com/mWv7eZwbkV
The scam that is 'organic' Scottish salmon - aka 'Organic Scamon' - has almost trebled in a year: increasing from 4,462 tonnes of 'organic' salmon reported in 2019 to 12,528 tonnes in 2020. That's a leap of 181% in a single year! https://t.co/VdswDPek3E@SoilAssociationpic.twitter.com/U6A3Isa3Hv
The scam that is 'organic' Scottish salmon - aka 'organic scamon' - has almost trebled in a year: increasing from 4,462 tonnes of 'organic' salmon reported in 2019 to 12,528 tonnes in 2020. That's a leap of 181% in a single year! The 'Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2020' - published by the Scottish Government on 30 September 2021 - details:
After YEARS of fighting, permission to build a cruel & toxic #salmonfarm in our bay has been denied. This place is a unique ecosystem full of diverse & important wildlife, it was such high stakes.
'Organic' Sea Harvest's plans for expansion off the Isle of Skye have been blown out of the water after the Scottish Government dismissed their appeal and refused planning permission for a new salmon farm at Balmaqueen.
After YEARS of fighting, permission to build a cruel & toxic #salmonfarm in our bay has been denied. This place is a unique ecosystem full of diverse & important wildlife, it was such high stakes.
Balmaqueen factory farm Skye,planning refused, appeal failed. Nice to see Organic (fake) Sea Harvest get their comeuppance. This divisive, fake named company prepared to throw communities under a bus to get what they want for 🤑🤑 @PrivateEyeNews@FerretScot@alexmacinnessnppic.twitter.com/8me17NFmkU
Speaking to the Mail on Sunday in July 2021 I commented (as Director of Scottish Salmon Watch):
"The SNP's lobbying on behalf of disease-ridden salmon farms is toxic politics at its very worst. Organic Sea Harvest is a sham, scam and consumer con. So-called 'organic' salmon farming is an oxymoron and a figment of the marketing men's toxic imagination. Shame on the Soil Association for allowing the lobster-killing chemical Deltamethrin to be used on organic salmon farms. Mass mortalities and lice infestations are already plaguing OSH's 'organic' operations and further expansion will only exacerbate the problem. 'Organic' Sea Harvest is merely a front for Dutch, Canadian and Norwegian investors who want to exploit Scotland's green and clean image. Consumers should boycott 'organic' salmon embalmed in toxic chemicals"
Organic Scamon: Villa Seafood changed their name to Organic Sea Harvest in May - it's co-owned by Dutch (Visscher), Canadian (DOM) & Norwegian (Villa) investors making $almoney off $cotland's green image. Neither 'Scottish' nor 'Organic'! #Organic#Scamhttps://t.co/kUmrCCNR0Rpic.twitter.com/u4UXeJWP8U
It beggars belief that salmon doused in toxic chemicals and ridden with infectious diseases can be marketed as 'organic' and certified by the Soil Association.
Meet the toxic team peddling 'organic' salmon pharming in Scotland - farmed off the Isle of Skye using the lobster-killing chemical Deltamethrin & owned by Dutch, Canadian & Norwegian investors. 'Scottish' & 'organic' salmon is a scam! https://t.co/wHt1aKc7G7#Toxic@timbrouwer89pic.twitter.com/mmcx5ereG5
Fish deaths across its farming operations – both from unplanned mortalities and culling – cost The Scottish Salmon Company more than £11m during the year to December 31 2020 https://t.co/rPfQfXjy0k@salmon_scottish
"This is the scum - all the salmon fat polluting our waters," says Jamie Moyes in a video from West Strome salmon farm @salmon_scottish "Absolutely disgusting, stinking. Oh my God, it is thick. It is a toxic soup - it makes you sick the smell" @SSPOsayshttps://t.co/6VlzcwKJh5pic.twitter.com/RffPTrp9eg
