Investigation into plastic pollution completed

The investigation into large spills of tiny plastic disks, known as biofilters, which had somehow washed up on beaches across the islands is now complete.

Police have interviewed a great number of people, written a report and handed it to the Environment Agency.

But, four months after the investigation was launched, it has not yet been possible to establish the exact cause of the pollution.

Biofilters used in fish farming

Shortly after the news of the plastic pollution broke, Atli Gregersen, CEO of salmon farming company Luna admitted that his company was responsible for the release of biofilters in Vágar, specifically in Miðvágur, where the biofilters leaked out through holes in bags during installation.

He added, however, that it is highly unlikely that this has spread beyond Vágar.

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Regin Jacobsen, CEO of salmon farming company Bakkafrost, said in June that his company is not responsible for the release.

“Our initial investigations have shown that these are old biofilters that were used in the 1990s, probably from one of the old, closed-down smolt farms, where the filters have somehow spilled into the water,” he said.

According to Bakkafrost’s current equipment providers, it is impossible that the biofilters can leak out from the daily operations into the sea.

Jacobsen did, however, take partial responsibility for past mistakes in the fish farming industry.

Unclear what happens next

Despite numerous clearing-up attempts, many of the plastic biofilters are still scattered around beaches, especially in Eysturoy’s Skálafjøður fiord.

The Environment Agency has not yet decided if it will take the matter further.

Translated by prosa.fo