Shocking findings by Norwegian officials. Cod swam among rotting fish
More than 200,000 farmed cod died as a result of a viral disease in northern Norway. The Norwegian Food Safety Authority criticized the country's largest cod producer for its handling of the dead fish.
Healthy fish were swimming among thousands of dead and decaying individuals.
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The mass die-off of cod occurred in November 2025 at the Norcod facility in Nesna, in the Helgeland region. The cause was the torskepox virus, which attacks the gills of fish. The case was revealed after an inspection by the Food Safety Authority. The inspection found shortcomings in animal welfare.
Over 200,000 dead fish in a single facility
As a result of the torskepox outbreak, more than 200,000 farmed cod died. The Nesna facility consists of nine cages, each holding up to about 1 million fish. Norcod operates a total of six marine facilities in Trøndelag and Nordland. The company also has its own fish slaughterhouse in Trøndelag.
According to Norcod's CFO, Stian Hansen, there are neither drugs nor vaccines against the disease, as reported by NRK. The infection was compared to a severe flu in fish. The only action is to reduce stress and wait for the symptoms to subside on their own. Similar cases have previously been reported in the cod farming industry.
According to Norcod's CFO, Stian Hansen, there are neither drugs nor vaccines against the disease, as reported by NRK. The infection was compared to a severe flu in fish. The only action is to reduce stress and wait for the symptoms to subside on their own. Similar cases have previously been reported in the cod farming industry.
In recent months, irregularities have also been detected in companies farming salmon.Photo: PxHere
Dramatic findings from the inspection. Dead fish in the cages
During the December inspection, the Food Safety Authority found over 4,500 dead cod in the cages. Additionally, more than 1,500 fish in a state of decomposition were detected. According to the report, the dead fish had remained in the cages for about a week. Inspectors considered this a sanitary and environmental hazard.
The Authority assessed the welfare of the fish as insufficient and pointed to a violation of the duty to assist animals. The company was ordered to implement corrective actions. The Authority emphasized that the farmer is obliged to remove dead fish and euthanize sick individuals when necessary.
The Authority assessed the welfare of the fish as insufficient and pointed to a violation of the duty to assist animals. The company was ordered to implement corrective actions. The Authority emphasized that the farmer is obliged to remove dead fish and euthanize sick individuals when necessary.
Norcod explained the delays in removing fish as a combination of the virus outbreak and very difficult weather conditions. The company declares it will increase the number of health checks and strengthen the fish in the farms. According to the company, mortality has already returned to a level close to normal. Norcod announces further cooperation with officials and full access to documentation, emphasizing that there were no fish escapes from the farms throughout 2025.
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