#Act4 Aquatics In onshore farms, or Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), aquatic animals are crammed into unnaturally crowded conditions, simply so the industry can line its pockets with profits. These artificial environments place great trust in machinery and workers, leaving the animals in an especially vulnerable position since, much like in any factory farm, an accidental flick of a switch can have catastrophic effects. Onshore fish farms: untested and unwanted 21 February 2024 Animal Equality Opinion
#Act4 Aquatics Following the inclusion of decapod crustaceans (such as crabs, lobsters and prawns) - in the UK Animal Welfare (Sentience) Act 2022, Crustacean Compassion have launched the first UK industry benchmark ‘The Snapshot’ to assess welfare standards for decapod crustaceans within the UK food supply chain. Crab and lobster welfare takes a step forward with first UK supermarket benchmark 27 January 2023 Crustacean Compassion
#Act4 Aquatics Animal Equality UK are raising the alarm as salmon mortality rates on Scottish salmon farms are rocketing. Scottish farmed salmon dying in droves before slaughter 23 January 2023 Animal Equality
#Act4 Aquatics As a direct result of Animal Equality UK's work for fish, the Scottish government has started routine inspections in salmon abbatoirs. Scottish government introduces mandatory inspections in salmon slaughterhouses 13 April 2022 Animal Equality
#Act4 Aquatics In a monumental step for animal welfare, the UK’s Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill passed through the final stages to become law yesterday (7 April 2022). The passing of this Bill is a historic moment for animal welfare as it marks the first-time animals like lobsters, crabs, shrimp, octopus, cuttlefish and squid are protected this way in law. UK Sentience Bill passes final stages to recognise decapod and cephalopod sentience by law 8 April 2022 Crustacean Compassion
#Act4 Aquatics A UK Government-commissioned study has recognised the sentience of decapods and cephalopods, leading to the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill being extended to recognise animals such as lobsters, crabs, shrimp, octopus, cuttlefish and squid as sentient beings. Decapods and cephalopods to be recognised as sentient beings under UK law 23 November 2021
#Act4 Aquatics Although cephalopods such as octopus, squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus, and decapod crustaceans such as lobster, crab, and crayfish are capable of feeling pain and suffering, they are still not legally protected in Scotland. One Kind launched a campaign for cephalopods and decapod crustaceans protection 15 April 2021 OneKind
#Act4 Aquatics Eurogroup for Animals' member organisation Animal Equality has released undercover footage from a slaughter facility operated by The Scottish Salmon Company, a supplier of major supermarkets. The footage sheds light on how farmed salmon are killed and is the first of its kind to be released in the UK. The investigation has made several extremely serious animal welfare abuses public, including a significant number of fish who were killed while fully conscious. New investigation shows fish killed while fully conscious in Scottish salmon slaughterhouse 15 February 2021 Animal Equality
#Act4 Aquatics Summer always shows to be a busy season for animal rescue centers as pet owners not only tend to abandon their pets when they leave on holiday but also need to keep a close eye on their pets in the extreme heat. While this usually applies to companion animals like dogs and cats, animal welfare supporters were disturbed by a scene which occurred on 30 July in the town of Spalding in the UK. Abandonment of animals: 80 fish in a small tank dumped in the UK 21 August 2020 RSPCA
#Act4 Aquatics Travel to and from still waters as part of Fisheries Management considered invalid by West Yorkshire Police. Angling: Welfare of fish stocks remains a top priority in the UK 27 April 2020
#Act4 Aquatics There has been a significant rise in the number of fish welfare complaints received by government agencies over the past 18 months. Fish welfare complaints ‘can be taken out of context’ 16 March 2020
#Act4 Aquatics The Animal Welfare Category will recognise initiatives that have improved the welfare of farmed or wild animals. UK’s Aquaculture Awards now include animal welfare category 7 February 2019