Photo: EFF
Norway has a long coastline of cold, fresh seawater that provides excellent conditions for sustainable aquaculture activities. In the 40 years of its existence, the aquaculture industry in Norway has grown into a major activity, creating jobs and value along the entire coast. In 2008, total production was 850,000 tons of farmed fish, worth around NOK 17.5 billion in first-hand turnover.
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Good fish health is a prerequisite for ensuring a profitable aquaculture industry and good quality products. Good fish health, documented by the absence of serious infectious diseases, is a precondition for Norwegian market access and for the export of aquaculture products.
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Salmon lice or “Sea lice” (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) is a common skin parasite which has occurred from ancient time in the Northern Hemisphere seawaters, included in Norwegian fjords, in coastal area or the open seas.
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Some of the environmental challenges which the Norwegian aquaculture industry currently is facing are related to discharges of toxic and harmful substances like copper, medicaments and nutrient salts. These challenges are addressed through a joint effort by authorities, scientists and the industry.
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The Directorate of Fisheries has developed an Action Plan to achieve a level of escapees from fish farms as close to zero as practicable.
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The Aquaculture Act regulates all aquaculture and sea-ranching activity in Norway.The act entered into force 1 January 2006, and replaced the Fish Farming Act of 1985 and the Sea-Ranching Act of 2001.
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The wild Atlantic salmon stocks have decreased drastically in the three last decades, both globally and in Norway. There are numerous threats to wild salmon stocks. Some of these are related to activities in rivers and fjords. To counter these threats Norway has introduced the concept of National Salmon Watercourses (NSW) and National Salmon Fjords (NSF).
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Aquaculture worldwide is a significant and rapidly expanding seafood producing industry; however, live production always means a risk of losses due to imbalanced nutrition, infectious diseases, and environmental challenges that compromise fish welfare.
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Fish diseases are categorized as infectious and non-infectious diseases. The infectious diseases have the greatest impact. All farmed salmon in Norway are now vaccinated. Bacterial infections in salmons are no longer a problem. The consumption of antibiotics is extremely low.
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