Proximar suffers loss after leak at Mount Fuji site

Land based salmon farmer Proximar Seafood has suffered a biomass loss following a tank breach at its Mount Fuji facility in Japan at the weekend, the company has revealed.

The incident happened in one of four operational tanks at the company’s new post smolt grow out facility.

Preliminary estimates suggest that 50,000 fish have been lost in the breach. The total number of fish in the facility across all stages amounts to more than one million individuals.

Proximar said early investigations indicate that a leakage from the tank had washed away soil beneath the tank, resulting in a sudden breach.

A part of the batch in the tank was saved and transferred to another production tank. Proximar said it is currently thoroughly investigating the incident and preparing to improve all joints and sealings to prevent any future leakage.

The company said: “The treatment will be made for all tanks in the grow-out facility, and the costs associated with the improvements are expected to be approximately NOK 5 million. Costs related to fixing the breached tank are expected to be approximately NOK 1 million [In sterling terms the total loss is thought to be around £450,000.

Proximar is in contact with its insurance companies for coverage of damages and loss of fish. There will be a limited impact on long-term harvest projections.

Proximar continues: “The RAS [recirculating aquaculture system] technology at the post smolt grow-out facility is demonstrating good performance, in terms of water treatment capacity and steady operations.

“Since the start of production, the company has not experienced any system-related problems, and the fish are performing very well across all the batches.

“According to plan, Proximar will start to harvest the first batches at the post smolt grow-out facility in the third quarter 2024.”

The statement went on: “The breach will impact the harvest volumes in the fourth quarter of 2024. In the start-up phase Proximar has inserted a high number of eggs and will continue to do so.”

“This is a precautionary measure put in place to secure excess biomass needed to handle unexpected incidents, like the one now experienced. Recent checks by a qualified veterinary confirm good health and welfare conditions.”

Proximar said there was no fin damage, and the fish are healthy and show a good body shape.

Importantly, there was no escape of fish to the outside environment from the breach incident.

Further information on the breach incident as well as a general production update will be provided in the scheduled fourth quarter reporting on 23 February.