Introduction
Norwegian salmon farming companies rely heavily on specialized contractors in their sea-based operations, including well boats, slaughter vessels and specialized service vessels. To ensure health and safety of all personnel in these operations, a well-functioning collaboration between fish farm employees and contractors is crucial.
Results
Results from an interview study conducted in 2025, and a digital survey conducted in the period February – April 2026 will be presented. First, the interview study included 20 informants from fish farming companies and contractors. Several challenges related to safety and collaboration were identified, including pressure to conduct operations even though personnel safety may be compromised; a lack of planning and communication across organizations; and lack of practical experience and competence.
After the interviews, the survey further explored employees' perceptions of challenges related to the collaboration. As part of the survey, more than 1850 employees working in a) fish farming companies and b) independent ship owners/service vessel companies (contractors) were presented with safety related statements regarding the quality of internal relationships and the relationships with the other party. A 5-point Likert scale (strongly disagree - strongly agree) was applied, and statements "mirrored" each other. For example, fish farm employees evaluated the statements: "Our efficiency demands mean that external contractors sometimes have to break the safety procedures" and "Lack of cooperation with external contractors is a threat to safety". Contractors evaluated the statements: "The fish farming companies' demands for efficiency mean that we sometimes have to break the safety procedures" and "Lack of cooperation with the fish farming companies is a threat to safety".
The interview and survey results provide new knowledge regarding challenges related to collaboration and perceptions of the relationship between fish farming companies and contractors. This is valuable in the search of measures that can improve safety in an accident-prone industry.
Acknowledgment
This research is part of the ongoing project "Knowledge and measures to reduce risk for personnel in the fish farming industry", financed by the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (project number 902016).