An estimated 150 salmon fry escaped in incident in September at a site belonging to Icelandic salmon farmer Háafell, the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) said on Friday.
On September 3, 2024, an incident occurred at Háafell’s hatchery facility in Nauteyri, Ísafjarðardjúp, during the transfer of smolt between buildings. The pumping of smolt began at 11:45 but was halted five minutes later when it was discovered that a valve on a drainage line had not been fully closed. Some fish escaped through the open valve into the shore.
Háafell immediately activated its response plan, deploying nets to recover the fish. Staff managed to collect smolt remaining in the drainage system and those that had reached the shoreline. Around 50 additional smolt were retrieved using nets. In total, 2,560 smolt were recovered.
However, despite the swift response, the company estimates that approximately 150 smolt, each weighing around 120 grams and ready for seawater migration, may have escaped into the ocean, based on its biomass accounting.
