Keeping score: how the big producers report fish welfare
An international survey of welfare reporting by salmon producers reveals a mixed picture.
The Salmon Welfare Scorecard, developed by Compassion in World Farming (CIWF), evaluates the public policies of major salmon producers concerning fish welfare. It assesses companies across 13 parameters, including stocking density, humane slaughter, sea lice infestations and mortality rates. Each parameter is scored independently, with results presented on a five-colour scale from red (limited reporting) to green (detailed, best-practice reporting).
In its inaugural assessment, the scorecard evaluated eight leading salmon producers - AquaChile, Bakkafrost, Cooke, Grieg Seafood, Cermaq, Mowi, SalMar and Leroy - which together represent over 50% of global salmon production. The findings indicated that while some companies demonstrated good practices in areas like predator management and humane slaughter, there remains significant room for improvement, particularly in policies related to transport and transfer, stocking density and enclosure conditions.
CIWF’s goal with the scorecard is to promote greater transparency and investment in higher welfare standards within the salmon farming industry. By highlighting current practices and encouraging better reporting, the organisation aims to foster improvements in the treatment of farmed salmon globally.
Find out more at www.compassioninfoodbusiness.com/key-tools-for-success/salmon-welfare-scorecard/.
In December, Compassion in World Farming published its second Salmon Welfare Scorecard, evaluating the public policies and reporting of 11 major producers - representing 63% of the global salmon industry - across 13 welfare criteria.
The latest scorecard shows that 62% of producers assessed have improved their reporting and policies on salmon welfare compared to last year, with improvements seen across all parameters. However, there is still significant room for further progress in transparency, reporting and policy development, CIWF says.
The Salmon Welfare Scorecard evaluates the public policies of selected salmon producers* based on their transparency in communicating key welfare issues. Using publicly available company information, each parameter is assessed independently, with results presented in a comparison table based on a five-tier scale, from one to five, and from red to green.
The leading producers listed are: Aquachile; Bakkafrost; Camanchaca; Cermaq; Cooke; Greig Seafood, Leroy, Mowi, MultiX; Salmar; and Scottish Sea Farms.
CIWF says the most improved criteria between 2023 and 2024 are Predator Management, Key Welfare Indicators and Genetics, suggesting that these practices were likely in place but previously under-reported.
This year, the highest scoring criteria overall are Genetics, Humane Slaughter and Health Planning Treatments, likely influenced by increasing social pressure for environmental protection and growing concerns about the use of antibiotics and their impact on human and planetary health.
The seven producers achieving the “Green Tier” (Tier Five) for Genetics, such as Bakkafrost and Camanchaca, should be commended. In contrast, other producers score significantly lower, primarily due to insufficient reporting on their practices. This lack of transparency raises concerns that these producers may potentially support controversial practices such as cloning, genetic engineering or the use of triploids in their policies.
Humane Slaughter is the welfare parameter where most producers achieve a “Light Green” (Tier Four) or better. Given the overall scores and tier levels, it is likely the best communicated parameter, illustrating – CIWF says – how engagement through the scorecard has effectively improved transparency on this issue.
In contrast, Stocking Density remains the worst communicated parameter. Despite a slight improvement on the 2024 scorecard, reporting on this issue is still largely vague, lacking ownership, clarity or sufficient detail. Often, reports only reference legislation or fail to meet the standards for desirable welfare practices. Notably, two producers, Aquachile and MultiX, have received flags for their stocking density scores due to uncertainty around the accuracy and implementation of their policies.
The next most poorly communicated areas are Transport & Transfer, Enclosure and Sea Lice. The Sea Lice parameter receives low scores, with most producers achieving only an “Amber Tier” (Tier Three). However, Transport and Transfer is particularly concerning, with most producers scoring a “Red Tier” (Tier One) due to the lack of communication regarding their practices and policies. The industry must establish and communicate a clear policy on how salmon are transferred and the conditions under which they are transported, CIWF says.
Louise Valducci, Head of Food Business at Compassion in World Farming, said: “The Salmon Welfare Scorecard was designed to promote greater transparency for consumers and investors, and it has been well received as a tool to identify areas where the industry must invest and act to address welfare challenges.
“While some progress has been made, the industry still falls short in fully embracing transparent reporting of welfare policies and practices. Greater openness, including the sharing of positive developments, could significantly strengthen relationships with stakeholders.
“Each year, over 400 million salmon are farmed globally, yet the industry continues to face criticism for failing to implement effective welfare solutions to issues such as high stocking densities, mortality rates, and barren environments that lack mental stimulation for fish. With growing social and investor pressures, producers must prioritise these concerns, adopt welfare-focused policies, and be proactive in sharing their progress.
“The scorecard provides clear direction for addressing these challenges, but it is ultimately up to the industry to collaborate, invest, and take collective action to improve salmon welfare.”
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