These are the main conclusions of The Institute of Marine Research’s review of the latest available information on enivironmental impact of Norwegian aquaculture. The report “Risk assessment – environmental impacts of Norwegian fish farming” suggest and evaluate specific environmental goals for infection rates, genetic impact on wild fish, eutrofication, organic load and use of medicines. These goals are based on the strategic aims defined by the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs in its 2009 “Strategy for an Environmentally Sustainable Norwegian Aquaculture Industry”. As far as is allowed by the data and general information available, a county-by-county assessment has been carried out of the current environmental footprint in terms of the impact on wild fish and the ecosystem in general.
Sea lice and escaped fish
The risk assessment concludes that sea lice infections on wild salmonids and the genetic impact of escaped farmed salmon are the biggest current problems associated with the aquaculture industry.
- We estimate there to be a medium-to-high probability that the environmental impacts of the aquaculture industry conflicts with the goals of the government’s sustainability strategy along large parts of the Norwegian coast, in the sense that the environmental goals have not yet been met in most of the counties. This is based on suggested thresholds and indicators for impacts on wild fish and ecosystem. We also believe that if sea lice develop resistance to a number of the most commonly used treatments, the situation may deteriorate further, says Geir Lasse Taranger, a senior researcher at IMR and the project manager for the report.
Infection rates and medicines
There is currently insufficient data to calculate a specific estimate of the risk of farmed fish infecting wild fish except in relation to sea lice, although a number of infections carried by farmed fish are potentially a threat to wild populations.
- We have looked at the medicines used in the Norwegian aquaculture industry. Some of the ones used to treat sea lice infestation needs to be studied more in detail for their environmental impacts before we can conduct a more precise risk assessment explains Taranger.
Eutrophication and organic load
Between Rogaland and Finnmark the probability of regional eutrophication and organic overload are considered to be low.
- The mandatory monitoring of sites also shows that the situation is also generally good in terms of the local impact of organic material. Only two of more than 330 surveyed sites were found to be in poor conditions, says Taranger.
Annual risk assessment proposed
The Institute of Marine Research proposes reviewing the risk assessment annually, with the aim of adjusting its scope and details in collaboration with the relevant authorities.
