Baseline surveys of wild fish catches
Through a major project called Baseline Surveys, the National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research is determining the background values of undesirable substances in the most commercially important fish species in Norway. The information provided by identifying the presence of undesirable substances in wild fish from Norwegian waters will be of fundamental importance for risk assessment in the area of seafood.
Undesirable substances and nutrients in wild fish
The surveillance research programme includes measurements of random samples to determine the content of undesirable substances and nutrients in fish and other seafood from the Barents Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea. The species analysed vary from year to year and the number of samples taken depends on the species. More samples are taken of species with the highest catch volume.
Parasite status
Every year, NIFES monitors occurrences of parasitic nematodes (e.g. Anisakis sp.) and the ‘soft flesh’ inducing parasite Kudoa in various commercially important fish species, including herring and Atlantic mackerel from the main fishing areas, throughout the fishing season. Several comprehensive investigations have shown that farmed salmon and Atlantic halibut do not carry nematode parasites.
Monitoring of radioactivity in seafood
The Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority is responsible for the marine monitoring programme to detect radioactive pollution in fish and other important marine species. In addition, the Directorate of Fisheries and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority cooperate in a monitoring programme to detect radioactivity in fish.
Shipwrecks and seafood safety
Based on mapping work carried out by the Norwegian Climate and Pollution Agency, the Norwegian Coastal Administration has prepared a register of information concerning more than 2100 large vessels which have foundered along the Norwegian coast since 1914. Several of these wrecks contain environmental contaminants, which could impact seafood safety if they were to leak into the sea.
Fjords and ports
The National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research and other institutes regularly examine the level of environmental contaminants in fish and other seafood in a number of fjords and harbours along the Norwegian coast. Recommendations regarding the safe consumption of fish from these areas are provided by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority in collaboration with the Norwegian Scientific Committee for Food Safety based on this monitoring.
Monitoring of shellfish
On behalf of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority, the National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research monitors the presence of undesirable substances and microorganisms in shellfish from commercial production facilities along the Norwegian coast. The Institute also carries out research on the detoxification of mussels, which provides the basis of advice given to the food authorities.
Monitoring programme for undesirable substances in farmed fish
The aim of this programme is to monitor residues of therapeutic agents, illegal substances, pollutants and other undesirable substances in Norwegian farmed fish in accordance with Directive 96/23/EC "On measures to monitor certain substances and residues thereof in live animal and animal products” and Directive 2002/657/EC on detailing implementation of the above-mentioned directive. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority is responsible for the enforcement of these directives in Norway, while the National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research has been delegated the responsibility for carrying out analytical work on all marine species and for the food safety assessments of the results. The National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research also issues an annual report on this monitoring programme
Monitoring programme for imported fish and seafood products
This monitoring programme is part of the Norwegian veterinary border control and also part of the Norwegian implementation of the EU Commission Regulation (EC) No. 136/2004 on “Laying down procedures for veterinary checks at community border inspection posts on products imported from third countries”. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority is responsible for implementation of the regulation in Norway. The National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research is delegated the responsibility for the analytical work on all marine and limnic species, and foodstuffs made thereof, and makes food safety assessments based on the results. The National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research also issues an annual report on this monitoring programme.
Monitoring of feed and feed raw materials for fish and other marine animals
Feed and feed raw materials may contain undesirable substances, which in turn may be transferred to the fish. The feed surveillance programme contributes significantly to the overview of undesirable substances in Norwegian farmed fish, which is important in assessing food safety. The National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research monitor the content of undesirable substances in feed and feed raw materials for fish and other marine animals on behalf of the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.
Microorganisms
The National Veterinary Institute annually reports occurrences of food-borne microbiological pathogens in Norway, including bacteria such as Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes (see ‘Zoonosis Report’). The report includes data from fish and shellfish examined by the National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research as part of the various monitoring programmes (see above).
Resource management plans for Norwegian sea areas
In White Paper No. 12 (2001-2002): A Clean and Rich Sea, the Norwegian Parliament concluded that there was a need for more comprehensive management of the resources in the Barents Sea, the Norwegian Sea and the North Sea. As part of the resource management plan for the Barents Sea, the National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research has investigated the levels of a number of undesirable substances in cod, capelin, polar cod and shrimp in these waters.