Samantekt vöktunar vegna áhrifa sjókvíaeldis á íslenska laxastofna 2023

Ágrip

Eldi á laxi í sjókvíum er vaxandi atvinnugrein á Íslandi. Eldinu fylgja áhættur sem taldir eru geta ógnað stöðu villtra laxastofna hér á landi, t.d. erfðablöndun. Settur hefur verið aukinn kraftur í vöktun vegna áhrifa sjókvíaeldis á íslenska laxastofna sem skipta má niður í nokkra þætti, vöktun með fiskteljurum, greiningu meintra strokulaxa úr eldi í ám, upprunagreiningu laxa með hreisturrannsóknum og rannsóknir á erfðablöndun. Í skýrslunni er gerð grein fyrir þessum þáttum ásamt helstu niðurstöðum rannsókna fram til ársins 2023.

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the production of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Iceland. While this growth marks a positive development for the aquaculture industry, it simultaneously raises concerns regarding the potential impacts on wild salmon populations, specifically those native to Iceland. The primary source of these concerns is the cultivation of Atlantic salmon of Norwegian origin in open sea cages, which poses risks to the genetic integrity and overall health of wild salmon through potential admixture. To address these risks, a monitoring program has been established. The program is designed to systematically monitor and assess the potential impact of farmed salmon on wild populations. This includes:

• Salmon River Monitoring: Deployment of fish counters equipped with video cameras to continuously track and record salmon movements in key rivers.
• Detection of Fish Farm Escapees: Identification and reporting of potential fish farm escapees captured in river fisheries, aiding in early detection and mitigation.
• Tracing Salmon Origin: Utilization of scale and genetic analysis to accurately determine the origin of salmon found in river systems, distinguishing between farmed and wild individuals.

Methodology:

• Fish Counters equipped with Video Cameras: These devices are strategically placed in salmon rivers to count and record fish movements, providing real-time data on salmon populations and behavior.
• Reporting System: Fishermen and fishing right owners are encouraged to report any suspicious catches that may indicate the presence of farmed salmon escapees. This system helps in the immediate identification and response to potential incidents.
• Scale and Genetic Analysis: Collected samples from salmon are analyzed to determine their origin. This process helps in understanding the extent of interaction between farmed and wild salmon populations.

The findings from this monitoring program are compiled and reported on an annual basis and this report summarizes the results for 2023.