Presence of the bacteria was identified following testing carried out in connection with planned harvesting of fish from the site.
The Mausund farm site has a total of four pens, and the Francisella bacteria has been detected in individual fish from one of the pens currently being harvested.
Norcod has not observed any significant increase in mortality among the fish being harvested and the detection is not expected to affect planned operations, harvest volumes or projected growth plan.
Known bacterial infection
Francisella noatunensis a is a notifiable bacterium in cod. Whilst it is a known illness, it has predominantly been found in farms further south and this is the first time the bacteria have been detected at a Norcod site. There is currently no available vaccine or medical treatment for the disease.
Good biological control
Norcod is handling the situation in accordance with established procedures and regulatory requirements and continues to closely monitor the site throughout the remaining harvesting period. Harvesting of the pen in question will complete in the next two weeks.
“We have good control of the situation and are following our established procedures. Our experienced farming teams are well trained to manage situations such as this. The fish at Mausund are already being harvested as planned and, based on what we are seeing today, we do not expect this to have any notable impact on mortality, our operations or projected growth plan,” says Christian Riber, CEO of Norcod.
For more information, please contact:
Christian Riber
CEO Norcod
cr@norcod.no
+47 905 37 990