Norwegian fish farms polluting fjords with waste likened to 'raw sewage'
8 hours ago
- #fjord ecosystems
- #nutrient impact
- #aquaculture pollution
- Norwegian fish farms release nutrient pollution equivalent to raw sewage from tens of millions of people annually.
- Aquaculture discharged 75,000 tonnes of nitrogen, 13,000 tonnes of phosphorus, and 360,000 tonnes of organic carbon in 2025.
- Nutrient loads from fish feed and waste contribute to algal blooms and oxygen depletion in fjords.
- Feed consumption increased by 14.6% over six years, aligning with industry expansion.
- Seasonal variations worsen the problem, with higher nutrient loads in summer when ecosystems are less resilient.
- Fjords like Sognefjord and Hardangerfjord are experiencing declining oxygen levels partly due to nutrient inflows.
- Officials have rejected fish farm applications due to emission concerns, citing environmental risks.
- The industry claims current operations are within nature's carrying capacity, but future growth could increase eutrophication risks.