The Group invests a considerable amount of resources in optimizing equipment and routines specifically to avoid accidental release of fish.  

Challenges

We operate in areas where wild populations of Atlantic salmon also exist, and release of farmed salmon could interfere with the genetics of local populations 

Impacts:   

Wild salmon is the only species categorized by IUCN as near threatened with habitats affected by our operation along the Norwegian coast. Lerøy has initiated appropriate steps to avoid harm and prevent extinction of wild salmon (Salmo salar). We have implemented measures to prevent escapes, biosecurity procedures and action towards sealice infestation. In 2023 we started implementing semiclosed technology where we either submerge the cage or seal the cage to avoid lice floating in the surface o fcoastal water to contaminate the fish, which again could contaminate wild salmonids. By end of 2024 35% of farmed salmon was growing in semiclosed or submerged technologi, with goal 45% within the end of 2025

Escape incidents can cause Lerøy financial consequences in the form of fines, reduced income and, in the worst case, a lack of capital. Repeated escape incidents could also affect the company's reputation. Fish from aquaculture that escape can find their way into the rivers where wild salmon stocks live. This can create a risk of affecting species diversity in the rivers. There will be a very low risk of any organic or inorganic impact on environmental conditions. Escaped fish from our company will have very little impact on people or human rights.

How we work in the area/ what actions we have taken

Significant measures have been implemented to prevent escape at LSG's farming localities. The Group has invested heavily in both technology, control systems and development of new routines to prevent escape.  

All Lerøy's facilities comply with technical standard NS 9415:2009 Marine fish farms. These requirements are specified in the NYTEK regulation that governs marine fish farms, all main components, structural elements for mooring and extra equipment. 

Actual incidents of accidental release triggers measures determined in the contingency plan and are reported in our Quality management system and to the Directorate of Fisheries, as are events that may lead to accidental release. 

Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries and published on the following website.  https://www.fiskeridir.no/Akvakultur/Tall-og-analyse/Roemmingsstatistikk. 

How we measure our impact

Research has shown that escaped fish from aquaculture can have a negative impact on wild salmon that live in rivers in Norway. The Norwegian Institute of Marine Research and various interest organizations monitor wild salmon and publish reports showing the status of the various species of wild salmon. 

The national impact of escape of farmed salmon in watercourses is also measured by different projects like: The national monitoring program for farmed salmon escapees in watercourses. 

Lerøy follows developments closely and we do our utmost every day to prevent that fish escape from our locations. 

The Group controls the number of fish in cages at each facility. The number of fish released to each sea cage from the smolt facility is counted according to the number of vaccinations minus dead fish prior to release. All fish that is taken out of the cage after release are logged daily. When an unknown number of fish escape from the cage, a well boat is used to count the remaining fish, and by comparing the well boat count with the marine farm's own figures an estimate of the number of escapees is made. 

Targets and results 

Target 2024: Zero escapees 

Cause and action - lesson learned.

1) Secondary grid in the channel opened during lice treatment. Actions: Recapture, updated checklist, and staff training.
2) Gap between the channel and the boat during lice treatment. Actions: Recapture, updated checkpoint in procedure, and staff training.
3) Net damage caused by use of culer line when lifting bottom weights. Actions: Recapture and training in procedure.
4. Fish lost at sea during dead fish handling. Actions: Recapture, installation of safety line on vessel, and staff training.
5) Bottom weight got caught in mooring, rope snapped, tear in net. Actions: Recapture and repositioning of the weight.
6) Hole in net during pearling. Actions: Recapture, updated procedure based on user manual, and staff training.
7) During lice treatment, parts of the mooring came loose, causing the channel to move outside the pen. Actions: Recapture, incident due to lack of secondary securing, and staff training.
8) A fish jumped out of the pen between the net and bird netting through a 15 cm opening before treatment. Actions: Recapture; cause identified as an accident.
9) During lice treatment, the channel twisted, creating a gap due to a worn-out nut. Actions: Recapture, identified lack of maintenance, and updated checklist.

Action taken due to results

In total only 13 732 individuals escaped from a total stock of approximately 56 million individuals by the end of 2024. Accidental release of  fish is typically associated with work operations involving net handling, such as delousing operations. The Group believes that the strategic move towards submersed and semi-closed technologies will reduce the risk of accidental release in its 
operations, as these technologies significantly decrease the need for delousing treatments.

Improvements have been made to secure use of safety measures when capturing fish for delousing and when returning fish to the cage after counting sea lice, to minimise the possibility of escape. 

Lerøy has collaborated with other businesses to establish a new company, Sporbarhet AS. The aim is to ensure efficient traceability services for salmon to prevent escapees with no known origin. The tracking services currently being developed are based on genotyping of all male fish used for breeding and further element analyses to distinguish between fish with the same genetic origins. 

We have implemented the NYTEK standard (minimum technical requirement) and we continuously work together with our suppliers to improve and develop new and better equipment. This is to ensure that all our farms have access to equipment of the highest possible technical standards.  

Risk analysis and several written procedures helps us operate our farms safely, including to prevent escapes. Among other specific measures, we regularly check the technical condition of moorings, facilities, vessels, and equipment, we make use of divers and ROVs to check pen farming nets and employees are trained in prevention of escapes.  

We make lesson learned report of all escape incidents to achieve learning across the company.