Farmed Atlantic Salmon | RSPCA Certified

Scientific evidence shows that fish feel pain and this has major implications

As scientific evidence shows that fish feel pain this has enormous implications for how we should be thinking about animal welfare in fish farming.

There are different types of fish farming across Australian and Tasmania is where over 12 million salmon are farmed every year on land and at sea. Some welfare issues in salmon production are similar to those we find in land-based farming systems for other animals, and some are unique to the aquatic environment. RSPCA Certified salmon can only come from salmon farms and abattoirs assessed and certified to the RSPCA Australia Standard for farmed Atlantic Salmon.

Watch Video — RSPCA Certified Farmed Atlantic Salmon

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Atlantic Salmon

There is no legislation specific to the welfare of farmed Atlantic salmon. Regulation is focussed on managing and monitoring the environmental impact of salmon aquaculture operations. Fish are included as vertebrate species in the Tasmanian Animal Welfare Act 1993 and the Animal Welfare (General) Regulations 2013. Because of this lack of welfare regulation many millions of salmon are at risk of having poorer welfare without a program such as RSPCA Certified.

RSPCA Certified salmon, from Producers meeting and being assessed against the RSPCA Australia Standard for Farmed Atlantic Salmon, are provided with room to swim effortlessly and perform schooling behaviour. Low-stress handling is imperative throughout the salmon lifecycle, and there are strict handling requirements prior to stunning for slaughter and CCTV is in place. Salmon must be closely monitored to ensure good health.

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Farm Assessments

RSPCA Certified salmon farms are assessed regularly by specially trained RSPCA Assessors and specific animal handling processes regularly assessed, along with additional unannounced assessments.

All RSPCA Certified salmon abattoirs have an annual unannounced assessment.

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Legal requirements for Atlantic Salmon

The RSPCA Australia Standard and corresponding certification from RSPCA Certified is just one way the RSPCA works to improve salmon welfare, and ongoing improvements are still needed, particularly to lift minimum legal requirements.

Additional research is also required to focus on fish environment, the importance of sleep and rest for fish and alternative seal deterrent methods, as well as effective regulation and monitoring of the environmental impact of salmon farming.

For more information about key welfare issues for farmed Atlantic salmon, and how RSPCA continues to advocate for improvements, visit the RSPCA Australia website.

Legal minimum	RSPCA Certified
No legislation specific to the welfare of farmed Atlantic salmon.	Requirements to review stocking density at each site with respect to fish and environmental conditions yearly. Marine pen density must not exceed 15kg/m3.
No legislation specific to the welfare of farmed Atlantic salmon.	Specific requirements for any handling of salmon including how fish are held, time out of water and monitoring of sample fish.
Triploid salmon and the triploidisation process is legal.	The farming of triploid salmon and the triploidisation process is not permitted.
No legislation specific to the welfare of farmed Atlantic salmon.	Amoebic Gill Disease bathing plan must be in place as part of a Veterinary Health Plan.