Field report for snorkeling surveys and removal of escaped farmed salmon in 13 rivers in Iceland 2023

Abstract

In August 2023, the aquaculture company Arctic Fish (Arctic Sea Farm) reported two small holes in one of its net-pens in Patreksfjörður in the Westfjords, Iceland. The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority estimated that about 3500 farmed salmon escaped from the net-pen. On assignment from the Directorate of fisheries in Iceland, NORCE LFI surveyed 13 rivers on the north and west coast of Iceland by snorkeling in September-October. The objective was to screen key segments of the rivers for farmed fish and remove as many as possible using spearguns, to limit negative impacts of farmed salmon spawning with wild salmon. Likely hotspots for occurrence of farmed salmon were chosen based on experience from Norway and guidance from local river owners and fishing guides. Escaped farmed salmon was found in 9 of the 13 rivers. A total of 79 farmed fish were observed, whereof 59 were caught, while 7 more were shot and wounded but managed to escape. The highest number of farmed salmon were found in Hrútafjarðará (34 observed, 32 caught). The farmed salmon were in general found in the upper reaches of the rivers, often in pools below rapids and waterfalls, or in association with holding pools/spawning areas together with aggregations of wild salmon. In some instances, farmed salmon were located more than 20 km upriver from the sea, demonstrating the possibility and motivation of the farmed salmon to migrate extensive distances up the rivers. All the surveyed rivers were considered suitable for performing snorkeling surveys, but varying visibility affected the possibilities to effectively observe and hunt farmed fish in the different rivers. The results suggest that snorkeling surveys and speargun fishing may be a useful approach to monitor and reduce the impacts of escaped farmed salmon in Icelandic rivers in case of future incidences.