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Recently, the Norwegian government unveiled their updated white paper on animal welfare—the first revision in over two decades. This comprehensive 200-page document not only sets ambitious goals but also outlines Norway's aspiration to lead globally in animal welfare, extending this commitment to the aquaculture sector, notably salmon. This document sets itself apart by serving as a critical foundation for shaping future policies and as a benchmark for gauging advancements in animal welfare.
Historical Context and the Evolution of Regulatory Frameworks
The report marks a significant evolution from its predecessor issued in 2003, which greatly influenced the Animal Welfare Act of 2009. Back then, Norway was on the cusp of transforming its salmon farming from modest beginnings into a robust industry. The industry has grown from producing approximately 0.5 million metric tons of salmon annually to over 1.2 million today, driven by breakthroughs in biological risk management such as the introduction of vaccines and a significant reduction in antibiotic use.
This historical context is crucial as it highlights the gradual but impactful shifts towards improving industry standards and animal welfare over the years. The 2003 report addressed substantial knowledge gaps and regulatory inadequacies that did not initially consider fish farming. This time, however, the government is taking a more proactive stance on specific issues, including the banning of triploid salmon and setting stringent risk management requirements.
Setting New Standards for Animal Welfare in Aquaculture
The standout feature of the new white paper is its clear set of goals directed at enhancing the welfare of all farmed species, with a notable emphasis on reducing overall mortality to 5% across the aquaculture industry. This target is not just aspirational but a directive to encourage the industry to strive for tangible improvements. It's a call to action for farming companies to innovate and adapt to meet these goals progressively.
The Road to Reducing Mortality Rates
Given the current average mortality rate in Norwegian salmon production stands at about 15%, the government's goal to slash this rate by more than half is both bold and challenging. The white paper integrates feedback and data from a wide range of industry experts, indicating that achieving a 5% mortality rate is feasible under certain conditions and has been attained by about 5-8% of locations for multiple generations.
Innovating Towards a 5% Mortality Rate
At Manolin, our analysis aligns with the government’s vision, as our network data reveals a similar mortality trend. We have observed that farms located along the colder, northern stretches of the Norwegian coast, where sea lice pressure is lower, are more likely to achieve or even surpass the 5% target. This link clearly shows how environmental factors and innovative farming techniques play a significant role in salmon welfare.
The report encourages the adoption of technologies that physically separate salmon from sea lice, a major factor in mortality. Innovations such as semi-closed containment systems and other mechanical barriers have shown promising results in pilot tests. For instance, systems like Eide’s Watermoon and Hauge Aqua’s Ovum MiniEgg have reported mortality rates as low as 1.2% over short trial periods.
Looking Forward: Manolin’s Role in Achieving Industry Goals
Manolin continues to support the aquaculture industry’s journey towards improved sustainability and risk management of fish welfare, ensuring that every innovation contributes to a healthier, more productive future for aquaculture globally.
As the industry moves towards these ambitious goals, Manolin is positioned at the forefront of supporting these advancements through our Watershed Platform. This summer, we are excited to introduce new models, including our predictive AI Mortality model, which represents a groundbreaking approach to managing salmon farm operations. This model enables farms to effectively manage generational performance and predict mortality in ways previously unseen in the industry.