Mechanical failure on wellboat causes mortality at Kleiva site.
Kleiva Fiskefarm has reported fish mortality and a minor escape following an incident involving the wellboat Caspian, operated by Brønnbåt Nord, at its Bjørnstein site in Ibestad municipality.
The event occurred during the loading of harvest-ready fish in the early hours of Monday. The company said the incident caused damage to the fish, resulting in mortality and an estimated escape of about 10 salmon.
“We are very sorry for the incident that occurred with Brønnbåt Nord, and the company is now actively working to uncover the cause of the fault. Escapes should not occur, and we do not take this lightly. Unfortunately, we have lost a number of fish, but the situation is under control,” said Marius Arvesen, managing director of Kleiva Fiskefarm.
Brønnbåt Nord managing director Per Harald Olsen confirmed the incident, adding that the company is still investigating. “We will not know the cause until later this evening when the fish has been unloaded and the tanks are emptied,” he told Intrafish.
Kleiva said fish in the wellboat were quickly returned to the pen, and recovery measures were implemented, including the deployment of recapture nets and additional personnel on site. The company reported no recaptured fish so far.
The incident has been reported to the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority.
