Norway Fishing: Eight million farmed salmon died after build-up of algae

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About eight million farmed salmon may have died in Norway after a massive build-up of algae last month. Experts say the country's giant fishing industry probably isn't at fault this time. But the government has faced a barrage of criticism in recent years over its environmental record. CGTN's Guy Henderson reports from the western town of Øygarden.

There are more than hundred thousand fish in these pens. They're not riddled with deadly parasites, says the company that farms them. Nor overdosed with antibiotics or cleaned using dangerous chemicals. Jørgen Viksund says Norway's giant fishing industry is cleaning up its act.

JØRGEN VIKSUND NORWEGIAN SALMON FARMER "If they find any salmon lice, they will eat them. That's a good natural way of keeping the amount of salmon lice as low as possible."

Viksund says critics jumped to conclusions: including on a recent algae build-up further north that suffocated millions of fish.

JØRGEN VIKSUND NORWEGIAN SALMON FARMER "The fact is that we're not using antibiotics. The fact is that the fish farming industry didn't create the big bloom of algae in the north of Norway this year. If we investigate and find the facts, that's the good way of starting the debate and discussions. And also to find the solutions."

Solutions that life in the fjords and rivers – beyond the farms may depend on.

GUY HENDERSON ØYGARDEN, NORWAY "Norway is the largest salmon producer in the world – so farms like these form a vital part of the economy. When disease threatened profits, the industry spent huge sums trying to protect its stocks. Critics warned its efforts could have serious environmental consequences."

Pollution's not the only problem though. The other is farmed fish escaping and swimming inland to spawn. That's killing off the wild population, says scientist Per Tommy Fjeldheim who runs Norway's and Europe's only fish trap designed to catch them.

PER TOMMY FJELDHEIM INSTITUTE OF MARINE RESEARCH "Just about 20% of genetics are from farmed fish.

"And why is that a bad thing?"

"Because the survival of the salmon generally gets lower if it gets mixed with farmed fish."

By testing DNA, they can tell if it's working.

PER TOMMY FJELDHEIM INSTITUTE OF MARINE RESEARCH "Hopefully, over time, we will see how the genetics change. Hopefully we won't remove all the farmed fish genes because natural selection is in play."

"Because there could be some useful genes in there as well?"

"Maybe, we don't know."

One downside for those upriver appears to be fewer fish.

KSARTAN FISHERMAN "Lot of fish in the river. But now it's maybe 40, 50, 60 salmons which they have recorded through the trap."

That's surely better though, than no catch at all.

GUY HENDERSON, CGTN, Norway.