SalMar found tears in several nets after Storm Ingunn
The cause of the damage and further measures will be reviewed continuously in collaboration with the Directorate of Fisheries and shared with the industry for learning, says the salmon farmer
“After the extreme weather that has ravaged the coast in the last week has subsided and it is once again safe for people to travel to the cages, SalMar is carrying out thorough investigations of the company’s facilities,” the company wrote in a press release.
SalMar – the world’s second-biggest Atlantic salmon farmer - clarifies that even with significant preventive work ahead of the storm, there are locations where cages with holes have been discovered. The Directorate of Fisheries has been notified that there is a suspicion that fish may have escaped. So far, no fish have been caught in recapture nets that have been set out at the sites.
At the Farmannsøya site in Åfjord, SalMar said holes have been found in three nuts. The holes were discovered with SalMar’s own feeding camera.
Biomass meters
“Divers and remote-controlled underwater vehicles were mobilised for inspection and remediation immediately after being lied to. At this facility there is submerged operation. The cause of the damage has not been finally clarified, but there is a high probability that there are biomass meters in the cages that have created holes in the net. The fish in this locality are approximately half a kilo,” wrote the company.
At the Salatskjera site in Frøya municipality, holes were also discovered in a net.
“Holes were immediately covered when discovered, and have now been repaired. The Directorate of Fisheries has also been notified here and further inspections are ongoing. Recapture nets have been deployed. It is believed that the damage is due to a camera winch falling into the pen. The fish in the net in question are approximately three kilos,” the company said.
Jump fence
SalMar has also uncovered and reported to the Directorate of Fisheries minor incidents at the Gjæsingen site in Åfjord municipality and Fjordprakken in Smøla municipality.
“At Gjæsingen, two small holes have been observed in nets. At Fjordprakken, a jump fence has fallen down. Here, too, recapture nets have been set out, but the possibility of escape is considered small.
“The cause of the damage and further measures will be reviewed continuously in collaboration with the Directorate of Fisheries and shared with the industry for learning,” the company concluded.
