Salmon Escape Reported at Laxey Fish Farm in Vestmannaeyjar, Icelandic Authorities Investigate

Incident Details Emerge from Vestmannaeyjar

At least two salmon escaped alive into the sea from a fish farming facility operated by Laxey in Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland. The incident, which occurred at the facility in Viðlagafjara, was reported to the Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) on Tuesday, December 17, 2025. According to information from Laxey, the escape resulted from an accident during a transfer between tanks at the facility.

Following the event, dead fish were discovered along the shoreline where the facility's discharge outlet meets the sea. The tank involved in the incident contained just over 142,000 fish, with an average weight of 2.2 kilograms. MAST has indicated that it cannot rule out the possibility of more salmon having escaped and has requested further information from Laxey. The company immediately activated its response plan, deploying nets and initiating fishing operations to mitigate the impact.

Broader Context of Salmon Escapes in Iceland

This incident occurs within a broader context of increasing scrutiny on Iceland's growing aquaculture industry. While the Vestmannaeyjar facility is a land-based operation, escapes from fish farms, particularly open-net pens, have raised significant environmental concerns across the country.

Key concerns associated with escaped farmed salmon include:

• Genetic mixing: Farmed salmon, often of Norwegian strain, can interbreed with wild salmon populations, potentially undermining the wild species' ability to survive and reproduce in their natural habitats.
• Disease and parasites: Escaped farmed fish can carry diseases and parasites, such as sea lice, which can be lethal to wild fish populations.
• Environmental impact: Intensive salmon farming can lead to pollution from organic waste, leftover feed, pesticides, and microplastics, affecting marine ecosystems.

Iceland's salmon farming industry has seen significant growth, increasing more than tenfold since 2014. This rapid expansion has led to calls from environmentalists and sport fishers for stricter regulations or even a ban on open-pen farming.

Laxey's Operations and Regulatory Oversight

Laxey is an Icelandic land-based aquaculture company that recently completed its first harvest at its Vestmannaeyjar facility in November 2025, marking a full production cycle from egg to harvest. The company aims to produce 32,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon annually in its land-based facility. Land-based facilities, like Laxey's, are often highlighted as a more sustainable alternative to open-net pens due to their ability to control effluent and prevent escapes more effectively.

The Icelandic Food and Veterinary Authority (MAST) plays a crucial role in overseeing fish farming operations, ensuring compliance with regulations, and investigating incidents like the recent escape. Icelandic law mandates comprehensive processes for obtaining farming permits, including environmental assessments and monitoring by various agencies. Companies found to be in breach of regulations can face investigations and potential penalties.