Compassion in World Farming has written to farmed seafood certification physique The Aquaculture Stewardship Council to induce it to reverse its newest coverage change on seafood welfare.
The ASC not too long ago introduced its coverage on sea lice had modified, permitting tens of millions of fish to undergo painful infestations earlier than being handled, CIWF claimed.
The scheme had primarily relaxed acceptable ranges for sea lice infestations as a part of the change, CIWF steered. And in Scotland, the transfer might imply a five-fold improve in infestations because of this.
The ASC had beforehand outlined a most on-farm lice stage of 0.1 mature feminine lice per farmed fish, throughout delicate durations for wild fish. Nevertheless, the requirement has now been modified to align with the jurisdiction requirements of the nation the place the farm is located.
In Scotland, the trade units its personal thresholds at a mean of 0.5 to 1 grownup feminine lice per salmon (relying on time of 12 months), that means extra fish would undergo, CIWF warned.
“This policy change is deeply disappointing and represents a significant step backwards for the scheme,” mentioned Dr Krzysztof Wojtas, head of fish coverage at CIWF. “It will allow farms to lower their standards on sea lice and force millions of farmed salmon to endure more suffering through painful infestations.”
The animal charity mentioned that sea lice “eat away at the fish causing painful open woods and injuries”, and are widespread in farmed fish as a result of animals’ shut confinement.
“The Aquaculture Stewardship Council should be improving its fish welfare standards to meet the expectations of consumers, not lowering the bar and allowing fish to suffer more,” he added.
The ASC certifies salmon farms around the globe together with in Scotland, Norway, Chile, Canada, Faroe Islands, Iceland, Japan, Denmark and Australia.
It has been approached for remark.
