This figure represents a 16.7% mortality rate among released farmed salmon, an increase from 16.1% in 2022.
Norway saw a record mortality of 62.7 million farmed salmon in 2023, according to new figures from the Norwegian Veterinary Institute,
Edgar Brun, the department director for fish health and fish welfare at the Veterinary Institute, confirmed in a press release that these are the highest mortality figures recorded to date.
“The figures for 2023 show what we have seen in recent years, that we will not see any decrease in mortality,” said Brun.
Regionally, the highest mortality was in production area 3 (Karmøy to Sotra), reaching 25%. Areas with less intensive farming, like production areas 13 (East Finnmark) and 1 (Swedish border to Jæren), reported mortality rates below ten percent. The Veterinary Institute noted that approximately 700,000 fish have yet to be categorized, which may slightly adjust these figures.
“Last year brought a change of pace in terms of attention to the health, welfare and mortality of farmed fish, and initiatives were taken in the industry and administration to improve the situation. We will return to what is behind the mortality in 2023 and other conditions that affect the health and welfare of Norwegian farmed fish in the Fish Health Report,” said Brun.
The full analysis of the causes of mortality, often attributed to treatment processes, will be detailed in the annual Fish Health Report scheduled for release on March 12.
