‘Tough year’ for Mowi Canada East continues with another big loss in Newfoundland

Mowi Canada East has blamed environmental factors for another big mortality event at its farms on the south coast of Newfoundland.

More than 10% of fish died at died at two Mowi farming operations near Chaleur Bay on Newfoundland's south coast, the company confirmed in a statement on its Facebook page.

“The reason for the mortality was due to repeat sea lice infestations caused by a prolonged period of high-water surface temperatures, no rainfall or freshwater run-off into the fjords and no winds to drive the usual surface currents. These conditions are ideal for sea lice and other small marine animals to flourish.

Sea lice

“The mortality was not observed in a singular event but rather observed over a period of recent weeks, during which time the fish were being treated using Health Canada approved products to remove sea lice.”

Mowi said the government of Newfoundland and Labrador was informed as soon as the company became aware of the cumulative numbers, reported to be at least 166,262, and it has taken all steps under “some of the most robust regulations to ensure good fish welfare, environmental stewardship, and transparent public reporting of incidents”.

Mowi said 2025 is proving to be an environmentally tough year in Newfoundland. In September, 400,000 salmon died at Mowi sites in the region. 

Water temperatures

That incident followed the loss of more than 10% of the stock - approximately 17,600 fish - on July 20 at the Little Burdock Cove site during a period of increased water temperatures and reduced oxygen levels.

Mowi has been required to report mortality events in Newfoundland and Labrador since 2019, when approximately 2.6 million fish died at sites in Fortune Bay and several licences were temporarily suspended before being later reinstated.

The company said last week that the latest setback came after several years of successful, incident free production.

Painful loss

“This incident is a painful loss for the dedicated and hard-working staff who have cared for and reared these fish for the last year.

“It is an unfortunate fact that all livestock farmers will encounter and must manage challenges resulting in the mortality of stock from time to time. All farmers (terrestrial or water) are continuing to see the effects of climate change on their livelihood.”

Mowi Canada East is run by Scottish salmon farming veteran Gideon Pringle, who was appointed managing director in July 2022, returning to Mowi after spells as operations director for Sutherland-based salmon producer salmon Loch Duart and farming director for Scottish Sea Farms.