TL;DR
Animal Outlook’s recent investigation found repeated animal cruelty and welfare violations at Cooke Aquaculture’s Maine hatchery, seven years after an earlier exposé. The company’s promises of reform appear unfulfilled, raising questions about industry accountability.
A new undercover investigation by Animal Outlook has documented continued animal cruelty and welfare violations at Cooke Aquaculture’s Maine hatchery, seven years after a previous exposé. The findings suggest that promises of reform made by the company have not been implemented, raising concerns about industry accountability and oversight.
In late 2025, Animal Outlook sent an undercover investigator to Cooke’s Maine salmon hatchery, where they documented numerous instances of inhumane treatment of fish. The investigation recorded workers repeatedly beating fish to cull them, leaving fish to suffocate in buckets, and improperly slaughtering live fish, often while they were still conscious. The report detailed 133 instances of rough handling, improper killing, and signs of poor water quality, including fungal infections and deformities.
This is a follow-up to a 2019 investigation by the same organization, which uncovered similar conditions. Despite Cooke Aquaculture’s public apology and commitments to reform after the first investigation, the latest findings indicate that welfare issues persist. The company has not responded to detailed questions but stated it is reviewing the footage and will take disciplinary action where necessary.
Why It Matters
This development underscores the difficulty in ensuring animal welfare improvements in the livestock industry, especially when companies repeatedly promise reforms that are not implemented. It highlights the limitations of relying solely on investigations and public pressure to enforce change, especially in the absence of comprehensive government regulation. For consumers, it raises questions about the ethical claims of meat companies and the reliability of their commitments to animal welfare.
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Background
Animal Outlook’s investigations into farm animal welfare have documented widespread cruelty across US livestock operations, often revealing that promises of reform are not kept. The 2019 investigation at Cooke’s hatchery led to a public apology and commitments to improve conditions, but follow-up findings in 2025 show that systemic issues remain. This pattern reflects broader industry challenges, where inhumane practices are often normalized, and regulatory oversight is limited.
“I would’ve been more surprised had we seen the conditions improved demonstrably for these animals. 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 remains unclear whether Cooke Aquaculture will implement meaningful reforms or if the systemic welfare issues will persist. The company’s response to the investigation has been limited, and follow-up actions are not yet known. Additionally, the broader industry’s regulatory environment and oversight mechanisms are not specified, leaving questions about enforcement and accountability.
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What’s Next
Animal Outlook and other advocacy groups are expected to continue monitoring Cooke’s operations and potentially expand investigations to other facilities. Regulatory agencies may face pressure to increase oversight or introduce stricter standards for aquaculture practices. The company’s next steps—such as disciplinary actions or reforms—will be critical to watch in the coming months.
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Key Questions
Will Cooke Aquaculture change its practices following this investigation?
It is not yet clear whether Cooke will implement meaningful reforms. The company stated it is reviewing the footage and will take disciplinary measures where appropriate, but specific actions have not been announced.
Why do investigations like this matter if companies promise reform?
Investigations reveal whether promised reforms are actually implemented. Repeated findings of abuse despite promises suggest systemic issues that require stronger oversight and enforcement.
Are there legal consequences for the cruelty documented?
Currently, no charges have been filed against Cooke Aquaculture, and it is unclear if legal action will follow. The investigation mainly highlights ongoing welfare violations and industry practices.
What can consumers do to ensure better animal welfare in seafood?
Consumers can seek out products certified by responsible aquaculture standards and support advocacy efforts pushing for stronger regulations and transparency in the industry.
Source: Vox
