Catch of farmed fish?

If there is suspicion that farmed fish has been caught in a natural water, the Directorate of Fisheries requests to receive a notification regarding the matter by email fiskistofa@fiskistofa.is or by phone 569 7900 during office hours.

When reporting, you must provide the following information:

• Where the fish was caught

• Date

• Species of fish

• Sex (if known)

• Length

• Weight

Characteristics of farmed salmon

Escaped farmed salmon can be identified by one or more of the following characteristics:

• Damaged fins and tail

• Eroded or damaged gill rakers

• Altered snout shape

• Stocky build

More information about the characteristics of farmed fish can be found in the leaflet on responding to the catch of farmed fish.

Submitting fish for analysis

It is advisable to deliver the fish for analysis to the Directorate of Fisheries or the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute:

• Fresh or frozen

The origin of the fish is assessed based on:

• Physical characteristics

• Genetic analysis

If it is not possible to submit the fish

If it is not possible to deliver the fish, you can send a scale sample to the Directorate of Fisheries or the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute for analysis, along with an email containing a picture of the fish.

Procedure for taking a scale sample:

• Use a clean knife when taking the sample

• Scrape about 20 scales from the appropriate area on the fish

• Place them in a scale pouch or another paper envelope