A lot of people simply wish to ignore the suffering of fish – but as seen here; and like the majority of most intensively reared farmed animals today, they, fish, are often raised and slaughtered in the most barbaric ways. It is hoped that by viewing the video below, views will change. The silent screams.

A new investigation is undertaken by Anima Naturalis, who undertake their work in Spain and Latin America, https://www.animanaturalis.org/en have revealed the immense suffering of Rainbow Trout at Spanish aquaculture facilities.

Spain is the largest producer of farmed fish in the EU; accounting for over 23% from figures obtained in 2023. An estimated 254 Million fish are raised and slaughtered EVER YEAR in the country.

Spain’s most farmed species is the Rainbow Trout, which accounts for around 30 Million animals per year.

With the support of photojournalist Aitor Garmendia and video photographer Linas Korta; the investigation https://www.fishfactory.org/es captures:

Extreme overcrowding, with fish forced to swim in waste filled water; struggling for space and oxygen;

• Diseased and injured fish, suffering torn fins, gill damage and friction injuries caused by rough handling and suction machines.
• Brutal slaughter methods; including the widespread use of thermal shock – submerging live fish into ice or ice chilled waters for up to 90 minutes; causing prolonger consciousness, hypothermia and suffocation.
• Ineffective electrical stunning – resulting in fish being eviscerated alive; which is a clear breach of existing EU rules when it comas to ‘avoidable suffering’.
• Exacerbated stress during transport including poor water quality, lack of oxygen, and jostling during both loading and unloading make the fishes final life stage an especially traumatic experience..

These acts of cruelty clearly goes against the EU Directive which protects farm animals; including fish – https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1998/58/oj/eng and which obliges Member States to ensure that farmed animals ARE NOT caused ant unnecessary pain, injury or suffering.

The situation here clearly shows that both stronger EU and national legislation is required.

AN’s campaign incudes a citizens petition https://www.fishfactory.org/es urging the EU to grant fish the legal protection they urgently need. Pleas sign it, and then pass the link to others – thank you.

The AN investigation coincides with the EU Commissions drafting of the first Code of Good Practice on Fish Welfare which serves as a practical document for aquaculture producers and the best practices for fish welfare. This is applicable across different life stages and production methods. This Code aims to fulfill the EU Strategic Aquaculture Guidelines strategy for 2030; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/1998/58/oj/eng ensuring that aquaculture progresses in a sustainable and ethical way within the EU.