WWW.WAS.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • DECEMBER 2025 59 weather, but [offshore farming] will be different than what they know today,” one manager warned. The Human Factor: Still Essential Even with more automation, people remain essential to salmon farming. While daily tasks may involve more screen time than sea time, critical operations — like transferring fish or performing maintenanc e— still require skilled hands. And that’s where a new concern arises: deskilling. As more tasks become automated, workers may lose the hands-on experience that once helped them make quick, informed decisions in emergencies. “How much fun will it be to work there?” one manager asked, highlighting the importance of job satisfaction and meaningful work. Safety by Design — Or Afterthought? One of the key findings from the research is that safety must be built into the design of new systems—not added later. While several companies are taking a proactive approach, some still appear to treat OHS as an afterthought. In traditional farms, safety measures are often reactive — meaning they are implemented after something goes wrong. In contrast, many of the new concepts are trying to be proactive, using better planning, training, and visualization tools to prepare workers for complex tasks. “It comes down to priorities,” said one safety manager. “If OHS is just something you bring up now and then, it won’t work.” Collaboration Is Key New farming systems often involve more actors and personnel with specialized skills: several types of companies, accountants, technologists of different kinds, biologists, engineers, divers, electricians, vessel navigators, auditors, and more. That means more coordination — and more room for miscommunication. “Perhaps one of the greatest challenges is that they must cooperate,” said a manager involved in a new concept. This complexity increases the need for clear communication, shared procedures, and joint training. Without it, even the best-designed systems can become unsafe. Learning from Other Industries Interestingly, some land-based salmon farms are borrowing safety practices from construction, manufacturing, and oil and gas. These industries have long experience with structured safety routines, like mandatory job safety analyses and daily briefings. “In construction, you can’t skip the safety meeting just to get the building up faster,” one informant noted. This cross-industry learning could help raise the safety bar across aquaculture — if the lessons are shared widely. Recommendations For a Safer Future Based on our research, five key takeaways for improving safety in the evolving salmon farming operations are suggested: 1. Design for workers’ safety from the start: Don’t wait until problems arise. 2. Invest in training: New tools require new skills. 3. Preserve practical knowledge: Find ways to keep workers connected to the fish and the outdoor operations. 4. Foster collaboration: Safety depends on teamwork across disciplines. Prioritize joint exercises! 5. Make safety part of the organization: It’s not just about procedures — it’s about practices. Conclusion: Balancing Innovation and Safety The salmon farming industry is undergoing a major transformation. New technologies are making operations more efficient, more sustainable — and potentially safer. But they also bring new hazards, new roles, and new responsibilities. To protect the people taking care of the fish, the industry needs to think beyond technology. A key is to design systems that support human skills, encourage cooperation, and prioritize safety at every level. Because in the end, a smarter farm must also be a safer farm. Acknowledgements This text is based on the authors’ scientific papers Occupational Safety and Health in New Salmon Farming Concepts and Innovation first. Addressing operational risk in salmon farming technology development, financed by the Research Council of Norway, the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund, and the Swedish Mercantile Marine Foundation. Notes Kristine Vedal Størkersen,* Cecilie Salomonsen, Trine Thorvaldsen, Siri Mariane Holen, SINTEF Ocean, 7465 Trondheim, Norway and Trond Kongsvik, NTNU Department of Industrial Economy and Technology Management, Norway. * Corresponding author: Kristine.storkersen@sintef.no FIGURE 2. More powerful equipment, larger cranes, and more complex operations can bring new hazards. Photo: Kristine Storkersen
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