Salmon escape sparks concern over extreme aquaculture conditions at Mowi’s research facility

NORWAY – A recent tear in the net pen of Mowi’s exposed aquaculture research facility in Norway has led to the escape of 13,500 salmon, raising concerns about the viability of farming fish in extreme weather conditions. 

The breach, first reported on 17 September 2024 at Mowi’s Kveitskjæret site, occurred during an aquaculture research project under the Blue Revolution Center. 

Despite immediate recapture efforts, only 1,500 of the escaped fish have been retrieved so far, with authorities extending the recovery zone to surrounding islands as they race to contain the situation.

The Kveitskjæret site, selected for its exposure to strong ocean currents, is part of a groundbreaking collaboration between Mowi, SINTEF, and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). 

This project, supported by research licenses awarded by Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries, aims to study how technological innovations can support sustainable salmon farming in challenging environments. 

However, the recent incident underscores the difficulty of balancing technological advancements with the harsh realities of extreme aquaculture.

The Blue Revolution Center has been exploring several innovations at the Kveitskjæret site, including advanced monitoring systems and automated processes designed to ensure fish welfare in exposed conditions. 

Yet the escape event reveals the inherent challenges of farming in such settings, where even state-of-the-art technology can falter. 

As Mowi and the authorities work to retrieve the salmon, the incident has cast a spotlight on the complexities of sustainable fish farming in extreme environments, sparking discussions about the future of aquaculture in exposed oceanic conditions.

Mowi’s Regional Director for Norway, Olaf Skjærvik, emphasized the importance of the research being conducted at the Kveitskjæret facility, acknowledging that such events are part of the learning process in developing safer, more efficient farming practices. 

Nevertheless, the escape has ignited concerns about the impact of salmon escaping into the wild and the sustainability of farming practices in these high-risk environments.

The recapture efforts are ongoing, with officials monitoring the situation closely. The outcome will likely play a critical role in shaping future regulations and technological developments in the field of extreme aquaculture.

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