Norwegian Coast Guard’s KV Svalbard leads response to Mowi salmon escape.
The Norwegian Coast Guard vessel KV Svalbard has taken a central role in stabilising the situation following a salmon escape at Mowi’s Storvika V facility in Dyrøy municipality, Troms.
The vessel, typically deployed for Arctic patrols and maritime security, is acting as a breakwater to protect the damaged site from strong winds and rough sea conditions.
The incident occurred on Saturday evening when a mooring failure caused part of the containment ring to submerge. Mowi, which has been directed by the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries to undertake recapture operations, has reported that the submerged section has since been lifted.
“There is no doubt that this is a serious and highly regrettable situation,” said Ola Helge Hjetland, Mowi’s Communications Director to Norwegian media outlet VG. “The ring was lifted again during the night.”
Mowi has not yet determined the exact number of escaped fish. “We will have to come back to that. This will be counted during the day or tomorrow, but we do not see any benefit for us or anyone else in speculating on a number before we know for certain,” Hjetland said.
The company cited adverse weather conditions as a constraint on conducting an immediate count.
The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries was notified of the incident overnight and issued a verbal directive for immediate recapture operations.
“We have received a report during the night describing an escape of 10–100 salmon, but there is nothing in the report that warrants an emergency response,” said Anette Aase, Communications Director at the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries.
