Salmon farming: occupational health in a new rural industry

The medical hazards of salmon farming can be grouped into thoserelated to marine safety, fish husbandry, fish-farm diving anddisease treatments. The hostile water environment requires thermalprotection and personal buoyancy aids as workers frequentlyfall in the water from boats or cages. Feedstuffs may generaterespirable dust and attract rats, creating a risk of leptospirosis.Musculo-skeletal injuries are common from lifting nets. Fish-farmdiving has particular risks which can be minimized. Organophosphorouspesticides are used to treat sea lice and employees requirehealth surveillance. Fish immunization is required to reducethe incidence of Aeromonas salmonitica. Needlestick injurieswhen using oil-based vaccines are a serious hazard to employees.The occupational health problems of salmon farming are predictableand preventable with primary safety measures. This new industryis safer than land-based agriculture on current evidence.