Factory-Farming Cruelty Hurts Fish Too

© iStockPhoto / piskunov

Two fish-farm managers have been charged with cruelty to animals after thousands of fish were found dead at a Scottish salmon farm. Authorities and the SPCA are investigating what appears to be a case of chemical poisoning. Unfortunately, cruelty is common on fish farms.

To increase their bottom line, fish farmers cram as many fish as possible into extremely small enclosures. Injuries, parasitic infestations, and diseases are common. To keep the fish from dying in these horrible conditions, farmers lace their food with powerful chemicals and antibiotics, which people who eat the fish ingest in turn.

In fish-slaughter plants, fish are completely conscious while their gills are cut, and they are left to bleed to death, convulsing in pain. Large fish, such as salmon, are sometimes bashed on the head with a bat, and many are injured but still alive and suffering when they are cut open.

Fish are playful, social animals, much like kittens. Find out more about the hidden lives of sea kittens and how you can help keep them in the oceans and off people’s plates.