TL;DR
Animal Outlook’s recent undercover investigation found that Cooke Aquaculture’s Maine hatchery continues to engage in inhumane practices. This follows a 2019 exposé that led to promises of reform, which apparently were not fulfilled. The findings question the industry’s accountability and consumer trust.
A new undercover investigation by Animal Outlook has documented ongoing animal welfare violations at Cooke Aquaculture’s Maine salmon hatchery, despite previous promises to improve conditions following a 2019 exposé. The findings highlight persistent cruelty and systemic issues, raising questions about the effectiveness of industry self-regulation and company accountability.
In 2019, Animal Outlook uncovered severe cruelty at Cooke’s hatchery, including fish being beaten, left to suffocate, and suffering from disease. The company apologized and committed to reforms. However, a second investigation in late 2025 revealed similar practices, with documented instances of fish being bludgeoned, left to die painfully, and suffering from infections and deformities. The second investigation recorded 133 instances of improper handling, along with unexplained mass fish mortalities.
Cooke Aquaculture declined to comment on the specific findings but stated it is reviewing the footage and promised disciplinary action where appropriate. The company is certified by Best Aquaculture Practices, which claims to promote responsible farming, but critics argue that such certifications do not prevent ongoing cruelty. The repeated failures suggest systemic issues within the company’s welfare practices and oversight.
Why It Matters
This investigation underscores the limitations of industry self-regulation and the reliability of corporate promises to improve animal welfare. With repeated violations despite prior commitments, it raises concerns about consumer trust and the effectiveness of voluntary standards in ensuring humane treatment in the seafood industry. The findings also highlight broader issues of accountability in animal agriculture, especially in the absence of comprehensive federal animal welfare laws for farms and hatcheries.
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Background
In 2019, Animal Outlook’s undercover work at Cooke’s hatchery revealed inhumane treatment, prompting the company to apologize and pledge reforms. Despite these promises, subsequent investigations suggest that systemic problems persist. This pattern is common across the livestock industry, where investigations often lead to promises of change that are not fully implemented or sustained. The case exemplifies ongoing challenges in enforcing animal welfare standards without strict regulatory oversight.
“We know that fundamentally crowding this many animals in these kinds of tanks is going to lead to welfare problems. Treating these animals as commodities is going to lead to cruelty.”
— Ben Williamson, Animal Outlook
“It looks to me like they have a systemic welfare issue at this farm.”
— Culum Brown, Macquarie University
“Cooke USA takes animal welfare very seriously. Appropriate disciplinary measures will be taken with respect to employees who have not followed company policy.”
— Cooke Aquaculture spokesperson
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What Remains Unclear
It is unclear whether Cooke Aquaculture has implemented meaningful reforms or if the violations are isolated incidents. The company’s internal review process and future actions remain undisclosed, and independent oversight of the hatchery’s conditions is lacking.
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What’s Next
Further investigations or regulatory inspections may occur to verify if reforms are effective. Advocacy groups are likely to continue monitoring and calling for stricter oversight and legal protections for farmed fish. Consumers may face increased skepticism about industry promises, prompting demands for transparency and accountability.
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Key Questions
What specific practices were documented in the latest investigation?
The investigation documented fish being beaten with metal rods, left to suffocate in buckets, shot and bled while still alive, and suffering from infections and deformities. There were also mass mortalities without clear explanation.
Has Cooke Aquaculture responded to these new findings?
The company declined to comment specifically on the investigation but stated it is reviewing the footage and will take disciplinary action where necessary.
Why do industry certifications not prevent cruelty?
Experts argue that certifications like Best Aquaculture Practices often rely on audits and standards that can be circumvented or are insufficiently enforced, allowing systemic issues to persist despite certification.
What does this mean for consumers who buy farmed salmon?
It raises questions about the humane treatment of fish and the reliability of industry promises, potentially influencing consumer trust and prompting calls for greater transparency and regulation.
Source: Vox
