Scottish Animal Welfare Commission: welfare of cleaner fish used in the Scottish salmon industry - report

3. SAWC evidence gathering and analysis

• The SAWC Aquaculture working group held an initial interview with a representative of Salmon Scotland (Oct 2023) to scope out the idea of the project and to understand what is known about the use of cleaner fish in Scottish aquaculture.
• A literature review was carried out to gather information on the role and efficacy of cleaner fish within the salmon industry globally.
• A visit was made to the Otter Ferry Seafish facility on Loch Fyne in February 2024, where ballan wrasse are bred and reared in captivity.
• Interviews were held in March and April with 2024 with cleaner fish managers of four of the major salmon producers in Scotland, and company staff involved in fish health and welfare.
• A list of outstanding questions was sent to Salmon Scotland for further clarification.
• Discussions were held with a number of non-governmental organisations with an interest in animal welfare about their views on the welfare of cleaner fish in 2025.
• An ethical analysis was undertaken.