Environmental health concerns over cod farming

There are environmental health concerns over the cod farming market after new figures were released.

Statistics from the Norwegian director-general of fisheries indicate the industry is rapidly growing, explained the Guardian.

Norway, which generates some 80 per cent of the world's supply of the farmed fish, increased its production from 10,375 tonnes in 2007 to 16,523 tonnes in 2008 – a 59 per cent rise.

Green groups are worried the development could lead to the gene pool of wild populations being contaminated due to a greater number of farmed fish escaping.

Nina Jensen, head of conservation at WWF Norway, told the publication there has been no environmental analysis of the issue, adding the organisation is very concerned about the current levels of cod farming.

"There are no restrictions on location, there are no restrictions on the protection of spawning grounds and there are lots of fish that escape," she said.

The Norwegian director-general of fisheries proposed earlier this year there should be a ban on catching eels in the country for all commercial and leisure purposes as of next year.

Written by Lauren Steadman