Norwegian fish farms polluting fjords with waste likened to raw sewage of millions of people'

"Norwegian aquaculture released 75,000 tonnes of nitrogen, 13,000 tonnes of phosphorus and 360,000 tonnes of organic carbon in 2025, equivalent to the untreated sewage of 17.2 million people for nitrogen, 20 million for phosphorus, and 30 million for organic carbon."

"The output of aquaculture pollution in terms of these three nutrients is three to five times larger than the population of Norway, which is just 5.5 million people."

"Feed consumption had increased by 14.6% over a six-year period, producing nutrient pollution in 2025 that equated to levels expected in the raw sewage of a country about the size of Australia."

"Nutrient load is highest in summer months when ecosystems are least able to absorb it, leading to destructive algal blooms that deplete oxygen levels."

Norwegian fish farms contribute significant nutrient pollution to coastal waters, equivalent to the untreated sewage of millions. In 2025, aquaculture released 75,000 tonnes of nitrogen, 13,000 tonnes of phosphorus, and 360,000 tonnes of organic carbon. This pollution is three to five times larger than Norway's population. Increased feed consumption correlates with industry growth, exacerbating nutrient pollution. Seasonal variations worsen the issue, particularly in summer when ecosystems struggle to absorb excess nutrients, leading to harmful algal blooms that deplete oxygen levels in fjords.

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