Farmed Atlantic salmon are vulnerable to predators, particularly fur seals. Protecting the welfare of the fish is as important as control methods that consider the welfare of the predator. Salmon farms are subjected to hundreds of seal interactions each year with seals capable of biting fish through the pen nets, jumping into pens, ripping holes in the netting and sometimes threatening staff. The Tasmanian Government, through the Seal Management Framework, allows the use of a range of non-lethal deterrent devices, including crackers, bean bags, and scare caps. Deterrent devices elicit anxiety, pain and/or fear and cause the seal to swim away (flight response).
Aquaculture has the potential to have a negative impact on the natural environment in which farms operate. Potentially polluting activities and waste, e.g. fish waste, wastewater from hatcheries, processing or net maintenance can impact water quality (nutrients, oxygen, and phytoplankton), and feed waste can create bacterial mats in the sediment underneath marine pens.
The RSPCA continues to advocate for:
In the meantime, the RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme is about lifting the bar for animal welfare, with standards that are frequently reviewed to ensure continuous improvement. The RSPCA Approved Farming Scheme Standard for farmed Atlantic salmon aims to improve fish welfare by focusing on improved practices, careful fish handling and transport, and humane slaughter.
Overall, there have been positive improvements to the welfare of farmed Atlantic salmon in Tasmania over recent years (especially by those certified to the RSPCA Approved Standard), but there is always more work to be done, and we will continue to engage with industry, government and the public to advocate for more improvements.
Subscribe today and we’ll keep you updated on all the latest campaigns, events and news.