Animal Outlook Sues Salmon Factory Farm

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We’re taking on Cooke Aquaculture over sustainability claims

In 2019, I worked inside Cooke Aquaculture in Bingham, Maine as an undercover investigator for Animal Outlook. This was the first-ever undercover exposé of salmon aquaculture in the United States, a cruel and often overlooked industry. While at Cooke, I witnessed firsthand the tortured lives of millions of sentient fish condemned to a brutal existence. These farmed fish suffer in overcrowded, filthy tanks and endure acts of egregious abuse at the hands of workers.

Despite our overwhelming evidence of animal cruelty and neglect, and law enforcement’s conclusion that Cooke’s workplace fostered teaching “bad techniques for handling and euthanasia,” Maine authorities declined to pursue criminal charges.

Consumer protection lawsuit

Recently, Animal Outlook and the Richman Law Group* filed a lawsuit against Cooke in the District of Columbia Superior Court. The lawsuit alleges that Cooke’s claims of “sustainable” aquaculture — including assertions that the company’s salmon products are “naturally raised,” “ecologically sound” and adhere to “optimal” animal welfare standards — deceive and mislead consumers in violation of the District of Columbia Consumer Protection Procedures Act.

A history of irresponsible practices

Our investigation is far from the first time Cooke has found itself in legal trouble for its irresponsible aquaculture practices which directly contradict its “sustainable” advertising claims. Fines and settlements totaling millions of dollars for violations of laws across multiple states, including the catastrophic release of 250,000 non-native salmon in Washington state, numerous permit violations in Maine and the illegal discharge of pollutants in multiple locations, have plagued Cooke over the past few years.

Cooke’s industrial aquaculture practices are a far cry from the wholesome, responsible image of “sustainable farming” that it actively portrays. Our lawsuit aims to stop Cooke from continuing to mislead and deceive consumers into purchasing its products.

Standing up for fish – together

Together, we can continue standing up for fish and for all farmed animals, continue disrupting factory farming, and continue working toward a kinder future for all. Your donations keep our cameras rolling. Please donate today.

In solidarity,

“Sam”

Undercover Investigator, Animal Outlook

*Animal Outlook is represented in the lawsuit by the Richman Law Group, a New York-based law firm focused on consumer protection and civil rights litigation. Through its Animal Welfare and Organic Integrity program, Richman Law Group seeks to hold corporations accountable for actions that can harm consumers, public health, animals, and the environment.

Comments 17

Richard Mitchell

July 2, 2020 at 9:02 pm

Thanks for going after these people. Even though I don’t eat fish, the company is not representing itself properly. Thank you!!

Anne

July 2, 2020 at 10:39 pm

Did anyone know that lots of sushi restaurants in the US use factory farmed salmon eaten raw. How safe is that?

Peter Hamilton

July 2, 2020 at 11:06 pm

Were they shooting wildlife such as seals, eagles… who are attracted to the fish? They shot the seals, sea lions and others at fish farms off British Columbia and other places!

Mary Ahrendt

July 4, 2020 at 12:38 am

I only buy wild caughtSalmon.

Brenda Mateega

July 21, 2020 at 5:26 am

You should come and help us with poachers here in Congo

Philip Owino

August 20, 2020 at 5:16 am

My friend recommended this site and I can see you are doing an amazing job in stopping animal cruelty. I hope you can one day start operations in developing countries like Uganda or Rwanda. A lot of crazy stuff being done to domestic and wild animals with no one to fight for them.

Ivan Taremwa
August 21, 2021 at 9:23 am

So inhumane. I would like to draw attention to the rhino farms in South Africa where hunters pay a lot of money to hunt them for their ivory.

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