Norwegian giants such as Mowi and Salmar are at the top of the world in the farming industry. In Iceland, the business has become controversial over the autumn following several media cases. On Friday, the Heimildin newspaper can tell about unusually high numbers of lice at several farms in Iceland that have Norwegian owners. In early October, an average of over 96 lice were found per salmon at the Arctic Fish facility in Tálknafjördurður, where Norwegian Mowi is the largest owner. SALMON WITH LICE: Lice have eaten parts of the salmon. The picture is from Norway. Photo: Norwegian Food Safety Authority The figures obtained from the veterinary authorities in Iceland are from week 40, writes Heimildin. – These are hair-raising numbers and an enormous tragedy, says Ingo Asgeirsson of the Icelandic Wildlife Fund to news. He is one of thousands who have taken part in protests against developments in the farming industry in Iceland. Several believe the figures are startling. Professor emeritus, Trygve Poppe (NMBU), expert on animal welfare in farming, has not heard of similar numbers of lice in cages. – I am actually shocked. It’s a big scandal, says Poppe. Anger against Norwegian companies Large quantities of dead salmon were dumped on the pavement outside the parliament in Reykjavík during the protest march in October. Several carried placards expressing anger towards Norwegian breeders. ANGER AGAINST NORDMENN: Several expressed anger against Norwegian companies. Photo: SIGURJON RAGNAR SIGURJONSSON / Sigurjon Ragnar srphoto.me – A rage has spread in large parts of the population, especially after the violent lice attacks, Asgeirsson tells news. Before Heimildin published the new lice figures, news contacted Mowi. – How does Mowi assess the situation and what do the lice counts from Arctic Fish in Iceland show? – Unfortunately, I do not have direct access to this type of data for the Icelandic company. Ola Helge Hjetland, communications director at Mowi, wrote this to news on Thursday. Kayaker Veiga Gretarsdottir filmed salmon partially eaten by lice at Arctic Fish. After the Icelandic newspaper’s publication, Hjetland writes: – These are misleading figures. The average for sexually mature female lice, on which Norwegian regulation is based, was 5.58 in week 40. The average is now lower, and a new de-lice will be carried out over the weekend. – Regardless of this, the situation that has arisen in Iceland is very regrettable, writes Hjetland in an e-mail to news. Also at the quarterly presentation earlier this week, Mowi regretted the salmon attack in Iceland. The company also announced that it will distribute a dividend of NOK 780 million for the quarter. PROTEST: Dead salmon were placed in front of the parliament. Photo: Sigurjon Ragnar srphoto.me An industry based on trust In Iceland, the authorities thought that lice would not be a problem, because the water there is so cold. Therefore, there are no clear requirements to take measures against lice infestation either. Earlier, Mowi stated to news that the authorities in Iceland are slow to approve lice treatments. – This industry has been allowed to grow in Iceland, without any demands being made. Everything is built on trust in the companies. It has ended with a man-made tragedy and animal abuse on a scale we have never seen before, says Asgeirsson. FEAR FOR THE WILD SALMON: Ingo Asgeirsson in the middle of the picture. Photo: SIGURJON RAGNAR SIGURJONSSON / SRPHOTO.ME Arnarlax, where Norwegian Salmar is the largest owner, is also affected by lice infestation. At Arnarlax, which is based in the same fjord, the figures were highest in week 41, writes the Heimildin newspaper. The figures showed an average of 62.5 lice per salmon at the facility. Salmar does not want to comment on the matter and refers to the Icelandic subsidiary. Photo: Sigurjon Ragnar Sigurjonsson / [email protected] All the salmon in the cages at Arctic Fish and in the cages at Arnarlax have died due to lice and wounds from lice. The rest is slaughtered. Altogether, approximately one million salmon ended up as pet food as a result of the lice attack. – The laws in farming are weak, the companies are set to look after themselves. People on the island have not been so angry since the financial crisis in Iceland, claims Asgeirsson. His organization demands that farming must take place in a responsible manner with an emphasis on animal welfare. – This is like a plague, says Asgeirsson. BIGGEST IN MOWI: John Fredriksen is the biggest owner in Mowi. Folketrygdfondet is the second largest. Photo: Håkon Mosvold Larsen, Larsen, Håkon Mosvold
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Found 96 lice on average on each salmon – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
