SalMar faces daily fine over lice Levels at Hosenøyan site.
SalMar’s fish farming site at Hosenøyan in Åfjord has reported an average of 1.6 adult female lice per fish, exceeding the allowable limit of 0.5 lice per fish by more than three times.
The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet) has warned SalMar of a daily fine of NOK 570,867 ($55,000) if lice levels are not reduced below the threshold by September 3, as reported by E24.
In a letter to SalMar, Mattilsynet emphasized the severity of the situation: “The discharge of lice into the environment increases significantly even with minor exceedances of the lice limit. We consider this to have serious consequences, particularly in terms of reduced protection for both farmed fish and wild salmon.”
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The letter requires SalMar to explain the reasons for the breach, outline immediate and corrective measures, and provide an analysis of the underlying causes. It also specifies that if other measures fail to bring lice levels below the limit, parts or all of the fish at the site must be slaughtered.
“The lice limit is a maximum that must be observed at all times, and you are obliged to implement measures before the lice levels become so high,” the inspectorate wrote to SalMar.
SalMar’s Strategy Director, Runar Sivertsen, attributed the high lice levels to increased sea temperatures during the summer, which have heightened lice pressure in the region. Sivertsen expressed confidence that lice levels would be brought under control by the deadline.
Mattilsynet has noted a general increase in lice levels across fish farms in recent months, with more violations reported than in previous years. This trend is also believed to be linked to higher sea temperatures, according to Janne Kandal, a case officer at Mattilsynet.
