Origin analysis of salmon caught in rivers – updated information

A total of 23 salmon have been delivered to the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute for research and genetic analysis. In addition, 11 salmon have been sent for genetic analysis but have not been returned to the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute. Of the fish that were sent to the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, 9 turned out to be farmed salmon, plus 3 that were not submitted, for a total of 12 confirmed farmed salmon and 22 that were found to be of wild origin. The farmed salmon were caught in the rivers Haukadalsá, Hrútafjarðará, Vatnsdalsá, Blanda, Reykjadalsá in Borgarfjörður, and Miðfjarðará. In addition, one sample from a salmon caught in early October in the Ytri-Rangá river is undergoing origin analysis.

The table below shows a breakdown of the number of fish caught, their origin, and the number of fish that have been sent to the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute for research.

The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority is investigating the origin of farmed salmon where genetic analysis provides information on where roe was brought into a hatchery, and then the salmon's farming history is traced to sea farms. The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority will publish the results of its investigation once the administrative process is complete and inspection reports are published on the fish farm dashboard.

Three farmed salmon are excluded from the investigation because the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority cannot base its investigation on salmon that are not delivered to the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute, as it is not possible to investigate those salmon adequately.

The results from scale analyses indicate that the 14 salmon returned to the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute were wild, had some external characteristics that could suggest a possible farmed origin, and were examined using genetic analysis. This analysis confirmed that they were wild salmon. The visual characteristics of farmed salmon can include a short and deformed snout, worn gill covers, worn or eroded pectoral and dorsal fins, and broken or fused fin rays, in addition to the tail fin often being worn or eroded. Further information about characteristics of farmed fish can be seen in an image from the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute.

Scale analysis can provide information on whether fish are wild or farmed. However, this may not be conclusive, as events in the lives of farmed fish can cause similar patterns in their scales to those seen in wild fish, although this is rather rare. Therefore, genetic analysis is much more accurate for determining the origin of fish. If salmon have spawned before, signs of this appear on their scales, which are called spawning marks. Of the wild salmon, 10 had marks of previous spawning; 7 of them had spawning marks showing they were returning for their second spawning, 2 fish for their third spawning, and 1 for its fourth spawning.

Salmon often sustain injuries during spawning, which can explain physical characteristics that resemble those of farmed salmon. Anglers and fishing rights holders are still encouraged to submit fish for research if their appearance suggests they could be farmed salmon.

The three institutions will continue to cooperate on the investigation of the matter and will provide information when further results are available.

If a salmon with farmed characteristics is caught, the angler is requested to deliver the fish whole to the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute for research and genetic analysis.