Screening Programme 2024

Sammendrag

The 2024 Screening Programme investigated antifouling agents and related compounds, as well as delousing agents, and metals near fish farms and a net service station on Norway’s west coast. Samples included seawater, sediment, benthic animals, and production fish. Marine sediments showed significant contamination, with substances consistently detected at levels likely to cause environmental harm and toxicity to non-target species. Although concentrations decreased with distance from the source, elevated levels were still detected in sediments at the maximum distances of collection 1 000 meters away and in benthic animals 400 meters from the source site. Levels measured in seawater indicated little or no environmental impact from these compounds. The sampling sites varied in ocean currents and bottom conditions, and the results are considered representative of aquaculture conditions at the west coast of Norway