The Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture is advising of an abnormal salmon mortality event at Mowi’s Marine Harvest Atlantic Canada AQ#1135 site (The Gorge), located on the province’s south coast.

Under Newfoundland and Labrador’s aquaculture regulations, abnormal mortality of over 10 per cent must be publicly reported.  In this instance, 92,700 fish from a total site number of 900,000 are affected.

Due to power outages resulting from the hurricane, the company is experiencing difficulty posting their public report to the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association Website.

The company’s public reporting confirms that government’s strengthened public reporting policy is working.  Marine Harvest Atlantic Canada has been fully transparent and cooperative, and the department will continue to monitor this incident.

The mortality event resulted from sudden low dissolved oxygen levels at the farm site.

The fish are approximately three kilograms in size, and harvesting was scheduled to begin before the end of the year.

Under oversight of the department, the company is taking all responsible steps to address the incident.  Mitigation measures required by the department include deeper nets and aeration equipment at the site and mortality removal has commenced.

All aquaculture sites in the province adhere to an array of regulations, policies and best aquaculture standards.  Many of our companies also abide by third party certification that focuses on food security, environmental and social standards.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to a strong aquaculture industry that is safe, transparent, and one that provides economic stability in rural areas.

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Media contact
Linda Skinner
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca