Large smolt escape at Mowi Nordland site

The incident happened on Saturday at the Glomfjord II location in Meløy municipality. The Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries said that the escape appears to have happened as the smolt were being transferred to a wellboat.

Mowi ASA reported this weekend an escape incident at their hatchery at the Glomfjord II location in Meløy municipality in Nordland. It appears to have happened in connection with the delivery of smolt to a wellboat.

The company has told the Directorate of Fisheries that approximately 65,000 salmon smolts have got out.

Mowi has set out recapture nets outside the site, and as of yesterday (Monday) , has recaptured approximately 1,400 smolts. The fish are about 120 grams in average size.

Mowi said it takes the incident very seriously pointing out it works hard to prevent escapes. Together, with the Directorate, it will investigate how the incident occurred and how they can avoid similar escapes in the future. 

The Directorate of Fisheries said it will follow up the incident with supervision and , according to normal procedures. It has also asked to be informed if any of the escaped fish are caught.

“We would like the public to tip us off about catching and observing farmed salmon in the area,” the Directorate said. It has also asked the public to attach a picture of the fish to help the Directorate assess the extent and distribution of the escaped individuals, stressing that current fishing regulations in the areas must be followed.