Factory farming is putting Norway’s wild salmon under threat, with parasitic salmon lice spreading at alarming rates. In this video, DW asks if the wild salmon can still be saved.
On Norway’s salmon farms, a tiny parasite is creating a big problem. Salmon lice have multiplied out of control, killing millions of fish and spreading far beyond the farms themselves.
The parasites escape into the fjords and coastal waters from open-net cages, where vast numbers of farmed salmon are raised. Once in the open water, the lice attach to wild salmon on their migration between the sea and Norway’s rivers.
For many Norwegians, wild salmon is more than just a species. It represents tradition, identity, and a way of life. Anglers, scientists, and environmentalists are working together to protect what remains.
DW Video: Saving Wild Salmon in Norway
Each autumn, aquatic biologist Helge Skoglund dons his diving gear and slips into icy rivers to monitor wild salmon populations as they return upstream to spawn.
Deutsche Welle (DW) tagged along to produce this excellent video, which is well worth a watch:
The numbers are sobering: from over one million fish in the past to fewer than 400,000 today.
“I’m worried that there won’t be enough salmon to ensure the stability of the population long-term,” says Skoglund. The decline has already forced many rivers to close for fishing, while Norway’s 1,000 or so salmon farms continue to struggle with lice infestations they cannot control.
The impact is also felt on the farms themselves. According to the Norwegian Seafood Council, average fish mortality is around 17%. But some are trying new approaches.
Salmon farmer Thomas Myrholt has invested in closed tanks that keep his fish separate from the open sea. He claims his stocks are lice-free and hopes future regulations will push more farmers toward sustainable solutions.
