Mowi reports salmon mortality event at Newfoundland site due to heat and low oxygen.
Mowi Canada East has reported a salmon mortality event at its marine farming site in Little Burdock Cove, near Rencontre East on Newfoundland’s south coast, according to a statement published by the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association and reported by CBC News.
The incident occurred on 20 July and affected more than 10% of the farm’s stock, translating to approximately 17,600 salmon out of a total population of 176,249 fish. The company attributed the losses to “a period of increased water temperatures in association with decreased oxygen levels,” according to the association’s website.
In a statement to CBC News, Gideon Pringle, managing director of Mowi Canada East, said the incident was isolated to a single farm and was quickly resolved. He confirmed that the event had been reported to the provincial government. The affected fish have since been removed, and Mowi has indicated that remaining stock show no signs of elevated mortality.
Harvesting at the site is continuing, with two weeks remaining in the scheduled cycle. The Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association declined a media interview, describing the matter as specific to the company.
