New cleaner fish rules on the way for Norway

The guidance is intended to address health and welfare issues for these fish, which play an important role in managing sea lice numbers.

The Authority says: “High mortality and poor welfare for cleaner fish have been one of the biggest challenges in Norwegian aquaculture for many years.

“The animal welfare report [produced by the Authority] is therefore clear that a lasting and planned improvement of the welfare of cleaner fish is necessary. 

“To contribute to this, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority has created a guide where we have collected information about the current regulations for cleaner fish. You will also find links to important appeal case decisions regarding cleaner fish.”

“The overview should make it easier to do the right thing, both when catching, farming and using cleaner fish.”

From 1 January next year, the Food Safety Authority will take over responsibility for reporting from the Directorate of Fisheries.

Monthly biomass reporting, which currently must be submitted to the Directorate of Fisheries, will be overseen by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority from the turn of the year.

The Authority says the new solution gives farmers better opportunities to document the keeping, use and culling of cleaner fish, and has been developed in collaboration with industry organisations. This will provide data, it says, that reflects the health, welfare and mortality of the cleaner fish.