Abstract
The aquaculture industry has since the 70’s grown to become one of the most important industries in Norway. The Norwegian aquaculture production has the potential for fivefold increase within 2050 (Olafsen et al. 2012). To be able to grow, and at the same time safeguard fish welfare and the environment, companies are exploring the possibilities for moving the production to sites further from shore.
Fish farmers at today's exposed locations, report considerable difficulties in maintaining safe production (Sandberg et al. 2012). During the winter months, harsh weather conditions are already causing downtime at several sites. The operational challenges are expected to increase due to extreme weather. The overall management of daily operation is more unpredictable, and this raises new safety challenges at the fish farms (Utne et al. 2017). The probability of fish escapes may increase due to less opportunities for maintenance and daily inspections. Furthermore, fish farming is the second most risk-exposed occupation in Norway after being a fisherman (Aasjord and Holmen 2009, Holen et al. 2017a & 2017b). The harsher operating conditions set stricter requirements to maintenance and safety management strategies.
This is the background for a PhD project starting in 2016, aiming to develop improved risk management strategies and systems in fish farming, integrating technical, human and organizational factors. This will contribute to reducing the risk of fish escapes, uncontrolled spreading of parasites ("salmon lice") and other diseases, as well as occupational accident risk.
The presentation will focus on findings during from the first two years of the project, and give a brief introduction to the status of safety management in the Norwegian fish farming industry.
Fish farmers at today's exposed locations, report considerable difficulties in maintaining safe production (Sandberg et al. 2012). During the winter months, harsh weather conditions are already causing downtime at several sites. The operational challenges are expected to increase due to extreme weather. The overall management of daily operation is more unpredictable, and this raises new safety challenges at the fish farms (Utne et al. 2017). The probability of fish escapes may increase due to less opportunities for maintenance and daily inspections. Furthermore, fish farming is the second most risk-exposed occupation in Norway after being a fisherman (Aasjord and Holmen 2009, Holen et al. 2017a & 2017b). The harsher operating conditions set stricter requirements to maintenance and safety management strategies.
This is the background for a PhD project starting in 2016, aiming to develop improved risk management strategies and systems in fish farming, integrating technical, human and organizational factors. This will contribute to reducing the risk of fish escapes, uncontrolled spreading of parasites ("salmon lice") and other diseases, as well as occupational accident risk.
The presentation will focus on findings during from the first two years of the project, and give a brief introduction to the status of safety management in the Norwegian fish farming industry.