The escape of fish from Norwegian fish farms: Causes, risks and the influence of organisational aspects

Abstract

The escape of fish from fish farms is a problem for the Norwegian aquaculture industry. Following a decrease in structural equipment failures, human errors and human factors have been highlighted as one of the main challenges when it comes to preventing fish escape. This article identifies causes of previous accidents leading to fish escape, as well as risks of escape, focusing in particular on the organisation of work as well as the role of the workers at fish farms. It is apparent that operational managers and fish farmers have great responsibility when it comes to preventing escape. Severe consequences for individuals and companies if fish escape may lead to workers prioritizing the safety of the fish over their own safety. Accident causality is often complex. The term "human error" may be perceived as incriminating by employees, as it focuses on the individual and not the bigger picture.