Lerøy Midt Reports Estimated Escape of 15,000 Salmon
Norwegian salmon farmer Lerøy Midt has reported an estimated escape of 15,000 salmon, weighing approximately 1.5 kg each, following damage to a net pen at its Sandholmane site in Aukra municipality.
The company disclosed the incident in a press release on Monday, stating that the damage was discovered during a routine inspection on January 5. Lerøy immediately activated its emergency response plan, deploying containment nets to mitigate the potential impact and initiating communication with relevant authorities, including the Directorate of Fisheries.
Health and Containment Measures
The affected fish had previously been identified with pancreas disease (PD) and Moritella, but Lerøy emphasized that their overall health condition is good and that the fish are safe for consumption. The remaining fish have been accounted for and transferred to a new pen.
The damaged net pen has been removed and will be inspected at Lerøy’s service station in Kristiansund. The company’s environmental and safety team, in collaboration with the Directorate of Fisheries, is conducting an investigation to determine the root cause of the incident.
Commitment to Environmental Responsibility
“We take such net damage incidents very seriously and deeply regret that this has occurred. We feel a strong responsibility toward the environment and our surroundings and are doing everything we can to minimize the consequences,” said Harald Larssen, Managing Director of Lerøy Midt.
Lerøy reiterated its commitment to a zero-escape policy, emphasizing its ongoing investments in technology, employee training, and systematic improvements to operational procedures.
“Our goal is to prevent such incidents, and we work daily to achieve this,” Larssen added.
The company stated that it is cooperating fully with authorities and will implement necessary measures based on the findings of the investigation.
