Key tools for success

The Scorecards are a family of tools that provide a transparent overview of the policies and practices published by fish producers. Currently, there are two:

Salmon Welfare Scorecard (SWS)
Sea Bass and Sea Bream Welfare Scorecard (SBWS)

They evaluate producers across a number of key parameters (thirteen for SWS and eleven for SBWS), offering a clear and comprehensive classification of publicly shared fish welfare practices.

While any assessment involves some level of subjectivity, the Scorecards are designed to compare participants as objectively as possible.

Assessment

Documents evaluated

Each producer was assessed based on their publicly available content related to fish welfare.

This included reports, policies and company-owned websites that are accessible to the public. Only official company websites were considered, as Compassion in World Farming believes that companies should make their reported data easily available through their own official communications, without relying on third-party sources.

Assessment form

A structured assessment form was developed to register the documents and organise the information collected for each producer.

Each document was recorded along with the date it was accessed to ensure accurate future reference. To streamline referencing, each document was assigned a code representing the document type (W: Website; P: Policy; R: Report) and a number to identify it. If the reference was not literal or included a comment from the reviewer, it was marked with [CIWF] before the code representing document type.

The assessment form is divided into the parameters for each species. Information from the documents was recorded under the relevant parameter by copying the relevant sentence into a designated field alongside the corresponding answer. Each entry included the document code and the page number where the information could be found.

Parameter structure

Each parameter is divided into several related topics to provide a more detailed assessment. These topics are further broken down into:

Sub-parameters or Topics
Statements or Questions

These subdivisions allow for a more granular classification of the information found in the assessed documents, enabling a more precise evaluation when scoring each parameter.

Types of answers

One the main objectives of the Scorecards is to standardize the information published by producers. Each parameter subdivision is paired with a set of answers designed to describe the related topic. When assessing the information, the answer that most accurately describes the practice was selected.

There are two types of answers:

Single choice: A drop-down list where only one answer can be selected. This is used when a practice can be sufficiently described with a single, specific answer.
Multiple choice: A list of possible answers where multiple selections can be made. This is used when the topic involves several potential answers, though not all may be applicable.

Unscored topics

The Scorecards include certain subdivisions that are not scored. These topics are considered relevant to welfare by CIWF and may become significant in the future, or represent practices we aim to promote, though they are not yet widely adopted. 

These sections serve to introduce emerging topics that could be incorporated into future editions of the Scorecards or to foster ongoing discussions around evolving welfare practices.

Salmon Welfare Scorecard Parameters

The parameters were organised to accurately reflect and classify practices, ensuring that the scores effectively represent the producers' performance.

Enclosure

The enclosure parameter covers the systems in which salmon are grown, ensuring these environments meet their natural needs and minimise the risk of injuries. 

Recently, there has been a growing interest in using Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) for salmon farming.  Unfortunately, these systems lead to an undesired intensification of aquaculture and raise significant welfare concerns, including extremely high stocking densities, water quality issues, technology failures and barren environments.

Fish Enclosure

Environmental enrichment
- Provision
- Type (not scored)
- Species-Specific
Recirculating Aquaculture System
Design of enclosure
- Design to not cause injury
- Mimics natural environment

Feed and Feeding

This section gathers information on salmon feeding practices, ensuring that all fish are adequately fed and are prevented from starvation. Fasting periods should be minimised as they can induce stress, and should only used when absolutely necessary for fish welfare reasons.

Fish Meal and Fish Oil are currently essential components of salmon diets, but their use raises sustainability concerns for fisheries and contributes to broader welfare issues in the industry. This section evaluates whether there are plans to reduce their use and examines the sourcing of these ingredients.

Feed and Feeding

Feeding Method
Fasting
- When it is used
- Repeated fasting
- Registration
- Duration
Fish Meal and Fish Oil content
- Use
- Origin of fish ingredients
- Reduction plan

Genetics

This section addresses the use of genetically engineered, cloned or triploid salmon in aquaculture. While these techniques may improve productivity, their impact on fish welfare remains largely unknown.

Additionally, there is a risk that such fish could negatively affect wild populations if they escape from the cages where they are reared.

Genetics

Use of genetic engineered salmon
Use of cloned salmon
Use of triploid salmon

Health Planning and Treatments

The health and welfare of salmon are paramount and should be managed through a comprehensive plan developed and reviewed by a qualified health or welfare professional.

It is essential to clearly document when and why salmon are treated, who approves the treatments, and the quantities used. Particular attention should be given to the use of antibiotics, due to the global concern over antibiotic resistance. A key recommended practice is vaccinating fish during their rearing phase to help prevent diseases and reduce the need for antibiotics.

Health Planning and Treatments

Designated fish health/welfare responsible
Health and Welfare Plan
- Presence and design
- Revision
- Treatments outlined
Non-antibiotic treatments
- Approval
- Registration
Growth promoters
Vaccination
- Salmon
- Cleaner fish
Antibiotic treatments
- Prophylactic use
- Permitted use
- Use of critical antibiotics
- Reduction plan
- Target
- Measuring unit
- Public reporting

Humane Slaughter

All animals slaughtered for food must be treated humanely. This requires them to be effectively stunned, rendered instantly insensible, and remain unconsciousness until death occurs.

Commercially available technical solutions exist to ensure this standard and they should be used. This parameter evaluates the stunning and slaughter methods in use, as well as the extent of their application.

Additionally, a reliable back-up system is necessary to ensure a humane end to the animals' lives, should the primary method fail.

Humane Slaughter

Statement on humane slaughter
Implementation
- Percentage of implementation
- Target to implement
Stunning and slaughter
- Use of a stun-kill method
- Stunning method
- Slaughter method
Back-up system

Key Welfare Indicators (KWI)

The health and welfare of fish must be regularly assessed and monitored throughout the rearing period.

Various types of indicators can be used to evaluate welfare, and for this Scorecard, they are classified into physical and behavioural indicators. The goal is to encourage greater use of behavioural indicators, which are often underutilised and generally reported in a vague manner.

Physical indicators are well-established, and their use is expected, while behavioural indicators are less commonly used, but provide valuable insights into the overall welfare of the fish.

Key Welfare Indicators (KWI)

General statement on monitoring welfare
Physical indicators
- Monitoring frequency
- Registration
- Types
Behavioural indicators
- Are they used?
- Monitoring frequency
- Registration
- Type (Not Scored)

Mortality

Although mortality could be considered a welfare indicator, we have given it a separate parameter due to its social relevance, the availability of data, and how it is typically reported.

Mortality data is widely collected, often on a daily or high-frequency basis. While it is a retrospective measure and can be a crude indicator of welfare issues on the farm, an increase in mortality rates may signal overlooked welfare concerns.

It is essential to report mortality rates, along with the causes, and to clearly disclose how these figures are calculated and what factors are included in the mortality calculation.

Additionally, we suggest that acute mortality events be considered as another important measure to evaluate welfare practices on a farm.

Mortality

Recording frequency
Mortality reduction plan
Mortality reporting
- Publicly reported
- Losses included
- Causes reported
- How is it calculated?
- Percentage of cumulative mortality (Not Scored)
Acute mortality events
- Number of acute mortality events (Not Scored)
- Publicly reported
- Causes reported
- Intervention

Predator Management

Salmon farms coexist with local wildlife, including predators that are attracted by the concentration of fish and the use of fish feed.

The presence of predators can cause stress to the fish and even result in injury as predators attempt to catch them. Predators can also harm themselves in the process.

It is important to manage interactions between the farms and predators through a control plan that outlines non-lethal actions and methods. The plan should explicitly prohibit lethal methods and prioritise the protection of protected species.

Predator Management

Predator control plan in place
Use of lethal methods
Non-lethal methods
Protected predators specifically mentioned

Sea Lice

Sea lice are one of the most significant welfare challenges in salmon farming today. These crustacean parasites attach to the skin and soft tissues of salmon. They thrive in farming conditions and can rapidly increase in number, which negatively impacts salmon welfare and can lead to death.

This parameter assesses how sea lice infestations are monitored and reported. Ideally, producers should have a dedicated team focused on sea lice management to ensure proper attention without time constraints.

Producers should prevent sea lice infestation rather than just treating the affected pens. Current treatments for sea lice are known to be harmful to the salmon, and we recommend phasing out these methods in favour of more effective and welfare-friendly alternatives.

Cleaner fish are often used to manage sea lice, but we suggest phasing out their use. While they may be used for prevention or treatment, their involvement extends the welfare impact to more species, and it remains unclear whether their welfare can be adequately maintained.

Sea Lice

Reporting
- Public reporting
- Reporting level
Who counts the sea lice
Prevention methods
Treatments
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Medicinal (chemical) treatment
- Thermal treatment
- Mechanical treatment
- Cleaner fish
- Other treatments

Stocking Density

Stocking density is an important parameter linked with other welfare issues and key for optimising the welfare of farmed salmon. This parameter is variable, fluctuates over time and influences and is influenced by both environmental factors and fish behaviour.

The stocking density in a salmon farm should be low enough to allow the fish to express natural behaviours, such as dispersing to more favourable areas when water conditions are suboptimal, gaining access to feed or seeking their preferred environmental conditions.

We recommend that salmon farms set a maximum stocking density of 10 kg/m3 and report their stocking density as accurately as possible.

Stocking Density

Maximum stocking density set
What volume of water is used to calculate stocking density
Stocking density reported
- Average stocking density
- Separate freshwater and seawater stages
- How is it calculated?

Training and Husbandry

Awareness of fish welfare is crucial for implementing effective practices across the company. A deep understanding of the reasoning behind these practices and fostering empathy for the animals under care are essential components of comprehensive training programs. These programs should cover all relevant topics and be regularly updated to incorporate new insights and developments in the field.

This parameter includes three husbandry procedures – crowding, grading, and handling – that directly impact salmon welfare. These practices should be minimised and only carried out when absolutely necessary. Furthermore, clear limits and procedures should be established to assess and ensure the welfare of fish during these operations.

Training and Husbandry

Fish welfare training
- Training topics
- Repetition
Husbandry procedures
- Crowding
- Grading
- Handling

Transport and Transfer

Salmon are often transported during their rearing process, typically at the end of their lives for slaughter, or for treatments and cage transfers. These movements can be highly stressful for the fish and may compromise their welfare.

In this parameter, we focus on the reporting of transportation and transfer practices. We assess how salmon are transported, the methods used for transfer, and whether appropriate measures are in place to ensure the welfare of the fish throughout these processes.

Transport and Transfer

Fish are transported for slaughter?
Materials and methods for transfer of fish
- Equipment
- Use of pumps
Transport of fish for slaughter or other reasons
- Method
- Stocking density
- Water quality
- Fish welfare

Water Quality

Water quality is essential for the health and welfare of farmed salmon, as poor water conditions can lead to significant welfare issues. Producers should have a proactive plan in place to monitor and address any deterioration in water quality to ensure the salmon under their care remain healthy.

We recommend that water parameters be measured regularly, ideally on a daily basis depending on the parameter. Measurements should be taken at different depths within the facility to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the water available to the salmon, and ensuring optimal conditions for their well-being.

Water Quality

Reaction plan to rapid changes and suboptimal conditions
Measurements at different depths
Parameters measured and frequency
- Oxygen
- Salinity
- Temperature
- Turbidity
- Other parameters