BAKKAFROST: Suspicion of a possible pathogenic ISA-virus on Bakkafrost farming site
A routine surveillance test by the Veterinary Authority on farming site A-73 Hvannasund Norður has resulted in suspicion of fish being infected by pathogenic ISA-virus. The suspicion arose after the result in one cage indicated that the fish is infected by the so called HPR-del ISA-virus.
Bakkafrost is preparing to take necessary actions.
The Veterinary Authority will carry out further tests in this cage and all other cages in the farming site. The results of these tests will be available over the next few days.
Farming site A-73 Hvannasund Norður contains 1.2 million fish with an average weight of approximately 0.54 kg whole fish equivalent (wfe). Total biomass is approximately 665 tonnes wfe.
The farming companies and the authorities on the Faroe Islands have put a lot of work into maintaining the good biological status in the Faroe Islands. Regular surveillance tests for ISA-viruses have been performed at all farms during the last approximately 12 years in sea sites in the Faroe Islands.
Bakkafrost expects to send out a stock announcement, when the final results from the tests on farming site A-73 Hvannasund Norður are available and conclusion is made regarding future actions.
Contacts:
Regin Jacobsen, CEO of P/F Bakkafrost: +298 23 50 01 (mobile)
Gunnar Nielsen, CFO of P/F Bakkafrost: +298 23 50 60 (mobile)
This information is subject of the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
About Bakkafrost:
Bakkafrost is the largest salmon farmer in the Faroe Islands. The Group is fully integrated from feed production to smolt, farming, VAP and sales. The Group has production of fishmeal, fish oil and salmon feed in Fuglafjørður. The Group operates licenses on 14 farming fjords. The Group has primary processing in Klaksvík, Strendur, Kollafjørður, and secondary processing (VAP) in Glyvrar and Fuglafjørður. The headquarter is located in Glyvrar, and the company has a total of around 725 full-time employees.
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