– We take matters like this seriously. Fish must be well looked after and protected against unnecessary suffering, on the same level as all other animals. That’s according to veterinarian Hulda Bysheim in the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. news told this week about a mackerel catch of 11 tonnes that was discovered at Sotra outside Bergen. The entire catch had to be slaughtered and could not be used as food fish. Too many of the fish were injured and had obvious wounds. The fish were kept in a cage – so-called “steng” – before they were to be transported to fish reception. But they never got there. The law for animals also applies to fish The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has now become involved in the case, together with the Directorate of Fisheries. That after they saw the situation in news’s case. – The fish is dead, so there is no risk of further suffering. But I am in the process of looking at the evidence and facts in the case. I can report the matter to the police, if I think it is that serious. We can also adopt a fine for breaking the law according to the Animal Protection Act, says Bysheim in the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. The image in the video shows visible damage to the fish. – Both fish and other animals must be protected against unnecessary suffering, says the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. Photo: Øyvind Stuvik She thinks more people should be aware that fish have just as much claim to protection as other animals. This is the animal welfare act that says something about. What is the Animal Welfare Act? The purpose of the law is to promote good animal welfare and respect for animals. The Act covers conditions that affect the welfare of – or respect for – mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, centipedes, octopuses and honey bees. The law says, among other things, that animals have intrinsic value regardless of the utility value they may have for humans. Animals must be treated well and protected against the risk of unnecessary stress and strain. Anyone who comes across an animal that is obviously sick, injured or helpless must, as far as possible, help the animal. If the animal is an animal from a zoo or big game, and it is not possible to provide sufficient help, the owner or the police must be notified immediately. You can find the entire law here. – It is important that fishermen are aware that the law also applies to fish. – How is awareness among fishermen about this? – I think more guidance is needed towards the fishing industry on that point. There are traditions and methods that have been worked on for many years, and it is understandable that awareness may not be that high. These are standards and attitudes that are developed over time: What is considered acceptable animal welfare and what is unnecessary suffering. Fisherman: – Hard drift – A part of the fish had got a bit hard drift, said the fisherman who owned the catch. He explained to news that the cause of the damage was that the well boat had a technical problem after the fishing net had already been “snarled together” to pump the catch into the boat. When the fish remained standing for several days after this, the damage developed. – If such rods are left standing with damaged fish in them, there can be ugly wounds and other suffering, says Bysheim. – Are they now considering whether an offense has been committed, or can they already establish it? – Based on what I have heard and read, it may look like a breach of the Animal Protection Act. How serious it is, I have to assess. The fisherman in question told news on Thursday that he does not want to comment on the case as it stands now. According to those who notified the Directorate of Fisheries, five days earlier there were many fewer injured fish to be seen in the cage. Photo: Øyvind Stuvik Mørketal The Norwegian Food Safety Authority does not have a complete overview of how common it is for injured fish to be left standing for too long in enclosures. – In the region south and west, we usually have 1-2 such cases during the summer. But it could be an obscure figure, because the Norwegian Food Safety Authority is not actively checking it. It is when the Directorate of Fisheries, the Coast Guard or the public contact us that we uncover such cases, says Bysheim. – What should fishermen do with damaged fish in a pole? – The law actually applies to every single individual. It is difficult to treat fish individually, but if you know that a proportion of the fish quantity is damaged, it should not be left standing in a pole where the damage can develop and get worse. Then someone must sort out the damaged fish, or sell or get rid of all the fish in some other way.
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– Looks like an offense – news Vestland
