The tuna, weighing 348 kg and measuring 278 cm, was caught on Friday.
Sulefisk, a Norwegian salmon producer, has successfully removed a bluefin tuna from one of its salmon pens at Guleskjeret after a challenging week.
News of the unexpected visitor first broke last Tuesday when the company reported the incident on its Facebook page, leading to a drawn-out extraction operation hindered by rough conditions.
Operations resumed on Friday when the weather cleared, and divers were able to repair the net, preventing further complications. A team from Frøy, equipped with divers and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), coordinated efforts to monitor the tuna’s movements.
Around 2:05 PM, the bluefin was safely captured using a cast net, after which it was humanely dispatched and removed from the pen.
Upon inspection, the tuna’s stomach contents confirmed it had not consumed any of the farmed salmon, suggesting it had entered the pen while pursuing other prey.
“Once in a Lifetime” Experience for Team Sulefisk
The operation was described as “a once-in-a-lifetime experience” by the company, which expressed relief at the successful outcome. “We are deeply thankful for the dedication and professionalism displayed by our staff, as well as the invaluable support from our partners,” said a company spokesperson.
Sulefisk’s team has since repaired the net, and the salmon stock has been confirmed safe with no reported escapes. The company’s management reiterated its commitment to maintaining safety protocols and close monitoring of all pens to prevent similar incidents in the future.
