The Trump administration's push to expand the US aquaculture industry faces scrutiny following the release of undercover footage from Cooke Aquaculture's salmon hatchery in Bingham, Maine. The video, taken by the activist group Animal Outlook, shows employees engaging in cruel treatment of fish, including clubbing and cutting into living specimens. This is the second such investigation at the facility, highlighting ongoing concerns about animal welfare and environmental practices in fish farming. The hatchery's fish are ultimately sold under the True North brand, certified by the Best Aquaculture Practices program. The Maine Department of Agriculture has opened an investigation into the allegations, while Animal Outlook calls for animal cruelty charges against Cooke. The broader implications of this situation raise questions about the sustainability of the $4 billion US aquaculture industry, which is under pressure to meet growing seafood demand. Critics argue that while aquaculture can alleviate pressure on wild fish stocks, it can also introduce severe ecological risks, including disease transmission to wild populations and pollution from farming practices. As the USDA aims to boost domestic seafood production, advocates for animal welfare and environmental protection are calling for a reevaluation of fish farming practices and a shift towards more sustainable protein sources.