Possible ban on hydrogen peroxide in fish farming

New research indicates that hydrogen peroxide is much more harmful than previously thought, and Norwegian authorities have now been warned against using it in fish farming.

According to Norwegian independent research institute IRIS, this substance has a significantly more harmful effect on the environment than scientists and the industry have previously thought.

The IRIS research project is not yet complete, but the researchers say that some preliminary findings are so worrying that they have asked the Norwegian authorities to consider a ban on the use of the substance in fish farming activities.

Hydrogen peroxide is used in aquaculture as an immersion treatment against various disease-causing organisms, including external parasites, bacteria and fungi.

The chemical compound’s highly reactive nature makes it ideal for use in aquaculture against numerous external fish-disease-causing organisms, but with similar concerns regarding toxicity.

Some 1,448 tonnes of the substance were used in the Faroese fish farming industry last year.

“We need more information,” says Faroese Chief Veterinary Officer Birna Mørkøre, who is a member of the Registration Committee, which administers the use of chemical substances in the Faroes.

The use of hydrogen peroxide in Faroese fish farming has been on a steady decline since 2014, when the annual amount used was 4,900 tonnes. But the 1,448 tonnes used last year is still considered a significant amount.

The lead researcher at IRIS, Renée Bechmann, told Norwegian national broadcaster NRK that the substance’s long-term detrimental effects on prawns came as a big surprise to the research team.

Norwegian prawn fishers have been arguing for years that chemicals from the fish farming industry cause harm to prawns, and Faroese lobster catchers have said the

same about lobsters. But so far there has been no firm scientific evidence to support these claims.

Later this month, Birna Mørkøre will present the hydrogen peroxide matter to the Registration Committee.

Translated by prosa.fo