Who, what, where
Visningssentrene i Norge bygger kunnskap om havbruksnæringen. Her kan du dukke ned i detaljer og lære mer om fiskeoppdrett. Vi guider deg inn til kunnskapsdatabasen havbrukslare.no.
WHO IS THE SALMON?
Farmed salmon start their life on land in fresh water.
Atlantic salmon is farmed along almost the entire coastline from eastern Finnmark to western Norway. The salmon are released into the cages and remain there for 14-22 months, until they have reached harvestable size of 4-6 kg.
BREEDING AND GENETICS
As with other livestock production, breeding is important in fish farming.
Breeding is to systematically build on the good, desired genetic traits in an animal. The aim is to increase food production and improve the health and well-being of the species.
FISHING WELFARE
The Animal Welfare Act states that animals have intrinsic value irrespective of the utility value they may have for humans.
The welfare of fish is strongly linked to their health, and the requirements for disease prevention and treatment are key. In Norway today, we have a high and undesirable mortality rate in aquaculture. Injuries after delousing, a complex gill disease and winter ulcers are the three biggest challenges in the Norwegian salmon industry.
Fiskehelserapporten 2023 (Veterinærinstituttet).
ANTIBIOTICS
Less than two per cent of Norwegian salmon have received antibiotics.
In relation to the biomass of farmed fish produced, sales of antibacterial agents for the treatment of farmed fish have been marginal over the past 10-15 years. Since 1987, the consumption of antibiotics for farmed fish in Norway has fallen by 99 per cent. Effective vaccines and infection prevention are the reason for low consumption.
Foto: Sjømat Norge
LUS
Salmon lice are the biggest challenge for the aquaculture industry.
Salmon lice are small crustaceans that live and reproduce on salmon and trout in salt water. Lice are detrimental to the welfare and health of the fish and regulations require that 20 fish are counted in each cage all year round and the number of lice must be reported to the authorities. If the lice count for mature females exceeds 0.5 lice per fish, the fish must be treated. Salmon lice are also what regulate the possibilities for further growth in aquaculture.
Foto: Sjømat Norge
FEED PRODUCTION
The feed must fulfil the fish’s need for energy and nutrients.
Around 70 per cent of the feed consists of vegetable ingredients, while around 30 per cent comes from marine raw materials such as fishmeal and fish oil. Large-scale research is underway into future feed ingredients to ensure sustainability and the right composition for the nutritional needs of fish.
RING EFFECTS
Spin-offs are created through the purchase of goods and services from other businesses locally, regionally and nationally.
The fisheries and aquaculture industry creates ripple effects through its core business by purchasing goods and services. This provides the basis for more jobs and value creation throughout the country.
Here you can immerse yourself in the latest ripple effect report that addresses the economy and employment both nationally and regionally:
Foto: Sjømatrådet
TECHNOLOGY
Technology development in the aquaculture industry is about the interaction between technology and biology.
The use of technological equipment and methods must ensure good fish welfare and that the environment around the cages is well protected. As a major producer of farmed fish, Norway is known for its expertise in developing new technology for the aquaculture industry.
EXPORT FIGURES
Norway is the world’s second largest exporter of seafood.
In recent years, seafood exports have exceeded NOK 100 billion each year, of which around 70 per cent comes from the aquaculture industry. Norwegian salmon is exported to almost 100 countries around the world, with Europe being the most important market, receiving almost 70 per cent of all Norwegian salmon.
FOOD PRODUCTION
Five per cent of the food the world eats comes from the sea.
The UN emphasises that the need to supply the world with more food must come from the sea. Norwegian food management is designed to ensure safe seafood for consumers, and efforts are made to ensure food safety throughout the value chain. Food production is governed by a set of rules and regulations from salmon eggs until the food is offered to consumers.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The production of fish in open sea cages leads to various forms of environmental impact.
Fish farmers are therefore required to carry out regular environmental monitoring and report to the authorities. The impact on the environment regulates production volume and the farmer’s opportunities for growth. Today, escaped farmed fish and salmon lice are considered the biggest environmental challenges from the aquaculture industry.
Various certifications carried out by external third parties also involve a strong focus on the environment and sustainability. Here you can read more about what the various certification schemes entail:
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