Study Indicates Severe Pollution from Norwegian Salmon Farming, Equivalent to All Untreated Wastewater in Australia
A new analysis reveals that pollution from Norway's aquaculture industry, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic carbon, is equivalent to the untreated wastewater discharged by the entire Australian population, causing severe environmental impact.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 21:45
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Wu Chi-lin, Helsinki, 5th, exclusive report) A new analysis indicates that the total amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic carbon flowing into coastal waters from Norway's aquaculture industry is equivalent to the entire Australian population directly discharging untreated wastewater into the sea, which researchers describe as "disturbing."
According to a report by The Guardian, an analysis of 2025 data by the "Sunstone Institute" shows that Norway's aquaculture industry released a total of 75,000 metric tons of nitrogen, 13,000 metric tons of phosphorus, and 360,000 metric tons of organic carbon. The report compares the pollution to population wastewater discharge: nitrogen emissions alone are equivalent to the untreated wastewater discharged by 17.2 million people, phosphorus to 20 million people, and organic carbon to 30 million people, making the scale of pollution across all three indicators comparable to the entire population of Australia.
Alexandra Pires Duro, co-author of the report and a data scientist, pointed out that Norway has only about 5.5 million people, yet its aquaculture pollution is 3 to 5 times its total population. "Fish feces, uneaten feed, and urine are all discharged directly into the sea." The Guardian also mentioned that feed consumption has grown by 14.6% in six years, and pollution is most severe in summer, precisely when marine ecosystems are least able to cope.
According to Norway's VG newspaper, Jan Grønbech, director of the Sunstone Institute, directly stated that "the numbers are disturbing." He emphasized that the organization does not intend to target specific operators but hopes to present the data to make all parties confront the problem.
The situation in Hardangerfjord also reflects the severity of the problem. In March this year, local authorities rejected nine new aquaculture farm applications at once, citing the fjord's inability to withstand more pollution.
Tom Pedersen, an environmental consultant for the Vestland County government who participated in reviewing the Sunstone report, believes that the report's data is "quite conservative, even understated." He explained that when algae and plankton die and sink to the bottom of the bay, the decomposition process consumes a large amount of oxygen, leading to a continuous decline in dissolved oxygen levels in the fjord.
He pointed out that only about 40% of the feed is absorbed by the fish, while the remaining 60% is discharged directly into the fjord as waste. A large part of the feed comes from soybean protein from distant countries like Brazil, "which has nothing to do with the natural nutrient cycle of the fjord; it's a foreign substance from outside."
In contrast, the Institute of Marine Research in Norway holds a different view in its risk assessment. The institute publishes annual reports, and its conclusions have been quite consistent for many years: aquaculture emissions pose a "low" environmental risk.
Mari Myksvoll, research director, admitted that there are indeed disagreements in academia, but she also pointed out that the institute's simulations show that if aquaculture production in Hardangerfjord doubles, some waters may experience eutrophication problems. Local officials rejected new applications, citing this simulation data.
Krister Hoaas, policy and communication director for the Norwegian Seafood Federation, defended the industry, stating that aquaculture is the most land-efficient industrialized food production method, with advantages such as low energy, low water consumption, and a low carbon footprint. He argued that its value should not be judged solely by emission data.
According to statistics from the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, approximately 1,380 salmonid aquaculture farms are authorized to operate nationwide, with an average of over 900,000 metric tons of fish growing in net pens at any given time, far exceeding the total body weight of all Norwegians.
Pedersen warned that every feed pellet that sinks to the bottom of the bay will continue to consume oxygen until all protein and fat molecules are burned up. "It's like lighting a fire; eventually, everything will burn out." (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang) 1150505
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(Central News Agency reporter Wu Chi-lin, Helsinki, 5th, exclusive report) A new analysis indicates that the total amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and organic carbon flowing into coastal waters from Norway's aquaculture industry is equivalent to the entire Australian population directly discharging untreated wastewater into the sea, which researchers describe as "disturbing."
According to a report by The Guardian, an analysis of 2025 data by the "Sunstone Institute" shows that Norway's aquaculture industry released a total of 75,000 metric tons of nitrogen, 13,000 metric tons of phosphorus, and 360,000 metric tons of organic carbon. The report compares the pollution to population wastewater discharge: nitrogen emissions alone are equivalent to the untreated wastewater discharged by 17.2 million people, phosphorus to 20 million people, and organic carbon to 30 million people, making the scale of pollution across all three indicators comparable to the entire population of Australia.
Alexandra Pires Duro, co-author of the report and a data scientist, pointed out that Norway has only about 5.5 million people, yet its aquaculture pollution is 3 to 5 times its total population. "Fish feces, uneaten feed, and urine are all discharged directly into the sea." The Guardian also mentioned that feed consumption has grown by 14.6% in six years, and pollution is most severe in summer, precisely when marine ecosystems are least able to cope.
According to Norway's VG newspaper, Jan Grønbech, director of the Sunstone Institute, directly stated that "the numbers are disturbing." He emphasized that the organization does not intend to target specific operators but hopes to present the data to make all parties confront the problem.
The situation in Hardangerfjord also reflects the severity of the problem. In March this year, local authorities rejected nine new aquaculture farm applications at once, citing the fjord's inability to withstand more pollution.
Tom Pedersen, an environmental consultant for the Vestland County government who participated in reviewing the Sunstone report, believes that the report's data is "quite conservative, even understated." He explained that when algae and plankton die and sink to the bottom of the bay, the decomposition process consumes a large amount of oxygen, leading to a continuous decline in dissolved oxygen levels in the fjord.
He pointed out that only about 40% of the feed is absorbed by the fish, while the remaining 60% is discharged directly into the fjord as waste. A large part of the feed comes from soybean protein from distant countries like Brazil, "which has nothing to do with the natural nutrient cycle of the fjord; it's a foreign substance from outside."
In contrast, the Institute of Marine Research in Norway holds a different view in its risk assessment. The institute publishes annual reports, and its conclusions have been quite consistent for many years: aquaculture emissions pose a "low" environmental risk.
Mari Myksvoll, research director, admitted that there are indeed disagreements in academia, but she also pointed out that the institute's simulations show that if aquaculture production in Hardangerfjord doubles, some waters may experience eutrophication problems. Local officials rejected new applications, citing this simulation data.
Krister Hoaas, policy and communication director for the Norwegian Seafood Federation, defended the industry, stating that aquaculture is the most land-efficient industrialized food production method, with advantages such as low energy, low water consumption, and a low carbon footprint. He argued that its value should not be judged solely by emission data.
According to statistics from the Norwegian Directorate of Fisheries, approximately 1,380 salmonid aquaculture farms are authorized to operate nationwide, with an average of over 900,000 metric tons of fish growing in net pens at any given time, far exceeding the total body weight of all Norwegians.
Pedersen warned that every feed pellet that sinks to the bottom of the bay will continue to consume oxygen until all protein and fat molecules are burned up. "It's like lighting a fire; eventually, everything will burn out." (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang) 1150505
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to get the latest news in real-time.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or used without authorization.