Norcod — Environmental & Social Information 2023

Feb 15, 2023

Norcod - Update Meløy municipality

Norcod - Update Meløy municipality

Norocd has been informed, by the Directorate of Fisheries, as expected, that after a DNA investigation of the cod captured by a fisherman, Havforskningsinstituttet has concluded, that based on their analysis, the captured cod, with very high probability, are farmed cod closely related to the cod on the farming site in proximity owned by Norcod.

With the conclusion of the escaped Cod are farmed Cod and same DNA as the fish at our site we are grateful for more clarity about the origin of the fish even though it is no surprise for us. Since the only cod farming site close to where the fish are captured is ours, we also have to conclude that there is a high possibility that the cod originate from our site, even though 90% of all farmed cod in Norway have the same genetic origin.

There is still no conclusion on how the cod could have escaped from the site. Referring to the earlier released statements, we have so far discovered no damage to the nets that could have given the fish opportunity to escape, neither has there been records of incidents related to operations that could have caused fish escape. The nets have already been inspected by third parties and will also be thoroughly inspected by the Directorate of Fisheries once the site has been emptied.

Norcod continues to work closely with the Directorate of Fisheries on finding out how the fish could have come to be outside of the nets and both Norcod and the Directorate of Fisheries are putting in significant resources into finding the answers.

Norcod has not registered any change in biomass and expect minimal financial impact due to this event.