Deep inside a Norwegian fjord, a dream of farming salmon sustainably

Published 2024년 10월 13일

Tridge summary

Jørgen Wengaard, a guide, leads visitors through the beautiful but environmentally challenged Hardangersfjord of Norway, highlighting its suitability for salmon farming despite criticisms from environmental groups. The fjord's optimal conditions and strong currents make it an ideal location for salmon farming, with Norway being the largest exporter of farmed salmon. However, the industry has faced criticism due to the escape of farmed salmon, which threatens the genetic diversity of wild salmon, and sea lice infestations. Sondre Eide, a innovative salmon farmer, has introduced a revolutionary closed pen farming system aimed at addressing these issues, which is being adopted by the Canadian government. This system not only prevents escapes and sea lice but also recirculates water, filters waste, and generates biogas for energy. Eide's initiative underscores the importance of sustainable salmon farming and the potential of the ocean to meet future food needs.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

HARDANGERSFJORD, NORWAY - Jørgen Wengaard steers around the rocky islands of a fjord, his boat cutting through the water’s still surface, sending ripples toward silent forested shores. But here in the Hardangersfjord of western Norway, still waters run deep: more than 2,000 feet deep. “The Norwegian coastline is perfect for farming Atlantic salmon,” says Wengaard. “We have the optimal temperature. We have good oxygen levels. We have the right salinity and the water is always changing due to strong currents. That’s very good for farming.” Wengaard is headed to one of the fjord’s several salmon farms, known by their cylindrical pens made from nylon netting, some holding hundreds of thousands of salmon each under the surface of Hardangersfjord. Norway is the world’s largest exporter of farmed salmon; more than a fifth of salmon consumed by Americans comes from the Nordic country. And as Norway exports more salmon across the world, the industry has come under criticism from ...

Source: Npr