Mowi Canada East confirms 400,000 salmon lost in Newfoundland mortality event
Mowi Canada East has confirmed an abnormal mortality event at three of its marine sites in Newfoundland, with early estimates suggesting losses of around 400,000 salmon.
The incident occurred at the company’s Broad Cove (AQ#1045), Harvey Hill East (AQ#991) and Harvey Hill South (AQ#1121) farms. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador was notified within 24 hours, with the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture overseeing the response, according to a post on Mowi’s facebook page.
The mortality was first disclosed on the Newfoundland Aquaculture Portal on 31 August after losses exceeded the 10 percent threshold that triggers mandatory reporting. At that stage, Mowi reported that the total inventories at risk across the three farms amounted to 1.71 million fish.
Mowi reports mass mortality at three Newfoundland sites, 1.7 million fish affected
In a statement on 4 September, the company said it now estimates the combined loss “to be in the region of 400,000 fish,” describing the figure as approximate and subject to confirmation. Mowi added that a final number will be provided via the aquaculture portal once available.
The company attributed the mortality to a thermocline inversion, a natural oceanographic event where cold, oxygen-poor water upwells from deeper layers into warmer surface waters. Mowi said its environmental sensors recorded the phenomenon and that veterinary staff from the Aquatic Animal Health Division have carried out multiple visits to the affected farms.
“This incident is a painful loss for the dedicated and hard-working staff who have cared for and reared these fish for the last two years,” the company said. “It is an unfortunate fact that all livestock farmers will encounter and must manage environmental mortality events from time to time.”
Mowi characterised the losses as both a biological and financial setback following “several years of successful incident-free production,” and noted that 2025 has been an “environmentally tough year” for aquaculture in Newfoundland.
The company emphasised that it had complied with all reporting requirements, facilitated on-site audits, and continues to operate under oversight from provincial regulators.
Mowi Canada East is part of Mowi ASA, the world’s largest salmon producer.
