An accident in a Norwegian fish breeding led to the Escape of about 27,000 salmon In the waters of the county of Troms, raising environmental concerns. The responsible company, Mowi, the largest world producer of breeding salmon, has announced one reward of 500 Norwegian crowns (about 43 euros) for each specimen captured.
The episode took place on Sunday 9 February at the plant Storvika Vlocated in the municipality of Dyrøy, off the Norwegian coast. A storm damaged the breeding structurescausing the breakdown of one of the cages in which fish were contained. According to the data provided by the company, the average weight of the fled salmon is 5.5 kg.
In response to the incident, the Norwegian Fishing Directorate ordered an intensification of the recovery operations. Normally capture attempts are limited to an area of 500 meters around the breeding, but given the size of the accident, Mowi has obtained permission from extend the recovery area To increase the possibilities of intercepting the fled fish.
The enormous risk for the wild population
Environmentalists expressed strong concern for the consequences of this escape. The breeding salmon can have A negative impact on the wild populationboth for genetic and health reasons. When these specimens cross with wild salmon, in fact, neither reduce genetic diversitymaking it more vulnerable to environmental diseases and changes. Furthermore, their presence in free waters can spread parasiteslike the sea lice, and intensify the competition for the reproduction areas.
The problem is particularly serious in Norway, where wild salmon fishing is already in crisis. In the last year, the number of specimens has fallen to historic lows, leading to Closing of fishing in 33 rivers. For 2025 the closure of 42 waterways and three fjords to try to preserve the fish population.
To encourage recovery, Mowi has prepared collection centers where recorded fishermen can deliver the caught salmon in exchange for the reward. Breeding fish are recognizable for theirs rounded tail and often damaged fins.
According to Pål Mugaas, spokesman for the environmental organization Norske Lakseelver, this escape represents an ecological disasterfurther threatening the survival of Norwegian wild salmon. Once again, therefore, we are faced with the Negative implications of the intensive farms of salmon Which not only carry aberrant brutality within the farms themselves, but in this case they seriously risk compromising the other specimens present in nature.
