Farmed salmon reported in rivers, source of escape unclear.
Norway’s Directorate of Fisheries has received reports of both capture and observation of farmed salmon in three rivers in Nordland.
According to a statement on Friday, the fish measured between 5 and 7 kilos, indicating they were harvest-ready. Catches were made in three watercourses within the Tosenfjord system, as well as in Lomselva in Velfjord.
The Directorate said it has not been able to link the fish to any specific escape incident. Local farming companies have been asked to carry out checks at their sites.
Authorities are encouraging anglers and others in the area to report further observations of escaped salmon in southern Nordland. They are also requesting that scale samples be taken from any suspected farmed salmon caught, which can later be used to trace the origin of the fish.
Escapes are a recurring challenge for Norway’s aquaculture sector, with concern that farmed salmon entering rivers can mix with wild stocks and affect their genetic integrity. Under Norwegian regulations, farmers are required to notify the Directorate immediately of any suspected escape and to take corrective action.
