Animal rights group SAFE has named New Zealand King Salmon’s mortality rates as “an animal welfare disaster”. This comes after the company’s annual report showed a 42% mortality rate for salmon farmed in warm water areas.

In a press release, SAFE Campaigns Manager Anna de Roo has denounced: “Salmon are just as deserving of protection under the Animal Welfare Act, however, currently they have no code of welfare. Mortality rates this high are completely unacceptable and it warrants a full animal welfare investigation.”

The group has confirmed that New Zealand King Salmon made 160 trips to the Blenheim landfill last summer. The aim was to dump 1,269 tonnes of dead salmon. It currently has a resource consent application lodged to open more farms.

Regarding this, New Zealand King Salmon CEO Grant Rosewarne indicated in the report: “Unusually early elevated seawater temperatures were a major factor behind high mortality rates, with the marine heatwave during summer associated with a La Niña event, resulting in a $20.8m negative impact on profitability.”

About SAFE

SAFE’s vision is a world where animal rights are valued. It works to achieve the end the exploitation of animals.

With the help of its supporters, every day makes massive wins for thousands of animals, and each step forward brings it closer to an Aotearoa where all animals matter.