An Overview of Aquaculture in the Nordic Countries

Abstract

The goal of this review was to describe in some detail the Nordic aquaculture industries in order to illuminate the similarities and differences. Information that was gathered for each country includes aquaculture history, aquaculture acts and regulations, production and production systems, environmental concerns, organic aquaculture and outlook for the future. The information will be useful for risk assessments, design of risk‐based surveillance programs and for construction of comparative risk profiles for endemic and exotic diseases affecting aquaculture in the Nordic countries. Aquaculture in the Nordic countries has a long history; beginning in the 1850s when hatcheries for restocking of salmon and trout were established in Norway. Nowadays, Atlantic salmon is the dominant cultured species in Norway and the Faroe Islands, whereas rainbow trout dominate in Denmark, Finland, and Sweden. Arctic char and cod are most important in Iceland. Other important cultured species include eel and blue mussels. There is much diversity in Nordic aquaculture industries in terms of production, farmed species, and production systems. Although the vast majority of the Nordic aquaculture production is for human consumption, significant numbers of fish are grown for restocking of rivers, lakes, or other bodies of freshwater or seawater.

Effects of parasites from salmon farms on productivity of wild salmon

“…These relationships have been subject to contentious debate in Canada (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) and Europe (21). However, countries such as Norway, Iceland, and Canada have responded to disease and escape (22) risks by establishing protected areas where salmon farming is restricted (23)(24)(25).…”

Socio-economic importance of ecosystem services in the Nordic Countries

“…At times the growth of aquaculture has been tremendous although some signs of levelling off can now be observed (Paisley et al 2010).…”

“…salmon and rainbow trout) are the most popular cultivated fish but a variety of other species and shellfish are also cultivated in smaller amounts. A speciality is two Finnish sturgeon farms that produce highly valuable belugacaviar (Paisley et al 2010). There is also minor organic fish production in Nordic countries.…”

“…In addition to cultivating fish for human consumption, fish are also cultivated to replace and maintain diminishing natural fish stocks such as Baltic Salmon (Paisley et al 2010, Garpe 2008). In Finland, there are many inland farms that cultivate young fish during the summer with a view to releasing them in the wild during the autumn.…”

Effect of Dietary Starch Inclusion Rate on Digestibility and Amylase Activity in Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) and Eurasian perch (Perca fluviatilis)

“…Both species have been identified as promising candidates for increased production [1,2] using either oligotrophic freshwater sources or recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) as the basis for cultivation [3]. However, there is limited knowledge about the dietary requirements and possible limitations in diet composition when culturing these fish species.…”