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 Lerøy 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. 

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. It is generally difficult to determine how an escape incident affects the wild population of Atlantic salmon. The reproductive success and the geographic distribution of escaped individuals is affected by many factors such as fish size, time of year in which the escape  event occurs, degree of sexual maturation and so on. Although the effect from each event is difficult to ascertain,there is still a potential risk of impacting wild populations through genetic introgression and disease transmission

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 2025: Zero escapees 

Cause and action - lesson learned.

1) Lost from hand net while handling. Actions: Recapture, updated checklist, and staff training.
2) Lost from hand net during lice treatment with external lice counting team. Actions: Recapture, updated checkpoint in procedure, and staff training.
3) Escape during maintenance using divers. Actions: Recapture and dialogue with supplier.
4. Escape during maintenance using divers. Actions: Recapture and dialogue with supplier.
5) Escape during manual lice counting. Actions: Recapture and change of procedure using extra gill net along the vessel railing.
6) Escape during camera maintenance using divers. Actions: Recapture and dialogue with supplier.
7) Due to bad weather attachment ropes caused a net tear resulting in escape. Actions: Recapture, immediate repair by divers followed by replacement of net/cage. 

Action taken due to results

In total 14 986 individuals escaped from a total stock of over 50 million individuals by the end of 2025. 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.