Tests taken this month by the Faroese Veterinary Authority at the salmon farming site A-73 Hvannasund Nordur, owned by the Bakkafrost Group, have again resulted in suspicion of pathogenic infectious salmon anaemia (ISA) virus.
Site A-73 Hvannasund Nordur has been under increased surveillance since July last year, when it was initially suspected of being infected with the virus.
These latest tests were part of the increased surveillance.
The site has 1.2 million fish with an average weight of 2.8 kg whole fish equivalent. The suspicion of pathogenic ISA virus concerns two cages, one of which was under suspicion of ISA last year.
Bakkafrost said it was prepared to take necessary actions and has already harvested all the salmon in the two cages, totaling around 190,000 fish, leaving the remainder of the site with around 1 million salmon.
Preliminary estimates show that its harvest volumes for 2017 will be reduced by 600 metric tons (MT) gutted weight as a result of the harvest of the two cages. Estimates also show the harvest volumes for 2017 may be reduced with another 2,400 MT gutted weight, should the harvest of the remaining biomass at farming site A-73 Hvannasund Nordur be accelerated.
Farming site A-73 Hvannasund Nordur will continue to be under increased surveillance, and further notice will be given, when the final results from the tests at the farming site are available and conclusion is made regarding future actions, said Bakkafrost.
Prior to this development, the Faroese salmon producer had forecast a 2017 harvest of around 56,000 MT.
