– It is a huge problem for the welfare of the salmon, says Geir Ove Ystmark, managing director of Sjømat Norge. Winter sores are an increasing problem in the farming industry, especially for farmed salmon. Winter sores are sores on the fish caused by bacteria, handling of the fish in conjunction with de-lice, and it is a condition that has traditionally been treated with well-functioning vaccines. Now the bacteria on the salmon have developed, and the vaccines lose their effect. New vaccines can make a positive contribution from 2024, but the situation must be addressed now, points out the seafood organisation. – This must be addressed – It is not good for the fish to get sores, it increases the mortality rate in farming. As an industry, we want to have as few winter wounds as possible, says Ystmark. Winter sores are similar to severe flesh sores. ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES: The increase in winter sores has major economic consequences. Photo: Duncan Colquhoun / Veterinærinstitutet The wound has financial consequences. There will be more wastage, because less of the salmon becomes food. – The economy will be bad. The salmon to be slaughtered must be corrected for defects before it goes on the market. This will affect prices and profitability in the industry, says Ystmark. – The breeders lose a significant amount of money on this and it is a major welfare challenge for the fish. This needs to be addressed, says Bjørn Olav Kvamme, head of research at the Norwegian Institute of Marine Research, and head of the group for the spread of infection and disease. Head of research Bjørn Olav Kvamme at the Institute of Marine Research takes a serious look at the economic consequences, and the welfare of the salmon. Photo: Privat Take measures The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has taken a measure to sort out the problem: – It is problematic that a lot of farmed salmon are dying due to wounds, and we have therefore taken a decision on culling where the amount of wounds has been large, says Lise Rokkones , section manager in the fish health and fish welfare section. She adds that it is important to have good vaccines, so that one can contribute to improving both the health and welfare of the fish. In addition to effective vaccines, good infection prevention work will always be necessary. Vaccinations and infection prevention work can lead to fewer salmon getting winter sores. Photo: Duncan Colquhoun / Veterinærinstituttet – The salmon are our livestock, and they suffer, says Ystmark, who hopes that a reduction in winter sores can be achieved with the help of a significant focus on internal control. They also search for good ways to treat the salmon as well as possible. Difficult task Another reason for the increase in winter sores is an increase in the treatment of salmon lice, which causes more sores. Ystmark does not think it is possible to get rid of salmon lice completely. – It will be ecologically difficult to get rid of salmon lice completely. We will always have salmon lice and biological challenges in the same way that we humans will always have a little flu, he says and adds: – We want to keep the problem at the lowest possible level. To keep the problem under control, Sjømat Norge collaborates with the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and other public authorities to have the best possible system around the industry. Managing director of Sjømat Norge, Geir Ove Ystmark, does not think it is possible to completely get rid of salmon lice and winter sores. Photo: Jonas Kroken Sævereide / news – We primarily work systematically towards farming companies to have a good internal control system in place, says Ystmark. The most important thing is to get all measures started, and to get new vaccines developed that work on the new bacteria. – The industry itself must first and foremost solve these challenges. Similar example When asked what the sores mean for salt and the quality of the fish, Kvamme brings up a recent incident. – A similar example that has been in the media is smoked salmon that had wounds on the fillet that was sold and to which consumers reacted negatively. – They have to treat the fish differently to get rid of damage. If this becomes very serious, they will probably have to discard the whole fish. – It is generally a problem that you have losses in this industry, and then that you get an increasing wound problem will cause an increasing loss of fish. The breeders thus earn less and it affects their bottom line. At the same time that it affects the welfare of the fish, says Kvamme. On Friday, a giant doughnut-shaped salmon farm was set sail out of the Frierfjorden. It will take four days on the way to Romsdalsfjorden. The company Bluegreen from Bamble has built the 550 tonne facility which can accommodate 200,000 salmon. Because the facility is completely closed, it should be possible to avoid salmon lice, escapes and discharge of sludge.
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Increase in winter sores among farmed salmon – news Vestland
